HOUSTON, March 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- CytoGenix, Inc. (OTCBB:CYGX) announced that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded the company a research grant to fund the first phase of a project titled: PEI Aerosol Delivery of ssDNA Expression Vector.
An aerosol compound containing the company's single stranded DNA expression vector coded with an anti-cancer gene sequence will be tested on mice with induced metastatic lung tumors. Positive results will lead the way to further animal studies and eventually human trials.
Dr. Malcolm Skolnick, Cytogenix CEO states: "This award is important monetarily as well as scientifically because it is granted only after competitive review by a panel of experts. We are very pleased because this enhances the company's scientific credibility and product pipeline."
Dr. Yin Chen, CytoGenix, Vice President of Research and Development, states: "This delivery method to lung cells in combination with our ssDNA technology is very promising as a significant therapeutic modality for cancer and other life threatening respiratory conditions. It is non-invasive, and goes directly to airway and pulmonary surfaces, thus avoiding many of the problems associated with Intravenous or other systemic drug delivery methods that tend to cause undesirable or dangerous side effects," adds Dr. Chen.
CytoGenix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets innovative products and services based on its proprietary DNA expression technology. CytoGenix has products in pre-clinical development including, anti-herpes, anti-psoriasis and anti-inflammatory topical creams. The company owns a U.S. patent for its core DNA expression technology and has 40 international or U.S. pending patent applications.
Safe Harbor
Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, risks associated with the acceptance of new products, competition, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information about CytoGenix and its technology is found on the website at www.cytogenix.com.