Generex Announces Interview of Dr. Eric von Hofe, President of Antigen Express, Following Recent Keynote Presentation
PR Newswire
WORCESTER, Mass. and TORONTO, June 17, 2014
WORCESTER, Mass. and TORONTO , June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Generex Biotechnology Corporation ( www.generex.com ) (OTCBB: GNBT) today announced the posting of an interview given by Dr. Eric von Hofe , Ph.D., President of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. ( www.antigenexpress.com ), following his keynote presentation at the recent TIDES meeting. The 16 th Annual TIDES Conference ( www.IBCLifeSciences.com/Tides ) was held in Providence, RI May 12 - 15, 2014 . TIDES, Oligonucleotide and Peptide® Therapeutics from Research through Commercialization, is the premier meeting focused on the discovery and development of synthetic biologicals. The interview can be viewed online at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjvvK3j946A&fe...video_user
During the interview, Dr. von Hofe pointed out the dramatic rise in the use of peptides as therapeutic agents over the last few years. Regarding their use as cancer vaccines, he noted that they represent the minimal unit required to generate an immune response. He further noted that dispensing with non-critical components unrelated to the specific immune stimulation one is seeking to elicit reduces the chances of non-specific side effects and toxicity. In addition, he explained how Antigen Express' specific peptide approach complements other non-specific immunotherapy strategies: while these non-specific approaches essentially take the brakes off the immune system, allowing it to attack 'self' tissues like cancer that it otherwise might not, the Antigen Express approach effectively 'steps on the gas' to stimulate the immune system in a very specific manner to attack tumor cells.
Antigen Express is in late Phase II trials of a second-generation peptide vaccine (AE37) designed to prevent relapse in patients with breast and other cancers. The AE37 peptide was designed using a fragment of the cancer-related HER2 protein combined with a proprietary modification to ensure activation of cells critical to the generation of a new immune response (CD4+ T helper cells). Recent results from a primary efficacy analysis indicate a trend toward reduced relapse in patients whose tumors express low to intermediate levels of HER2 who are not eligible to receive Herceptin. The protective effect of AE37 is even more pronounced in patients who have had triple negative breast cancer.
About Generex Biotechnology Corporation
Generex is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drug delivery systems and technologies. Generex has developed a proprietary platform technology for the delivery of drugs into the human body through the oral cavity (with no deposit in the lungs). The Company's proprietary liquid formulations allow drugs typically administered by injection to be absorbed into the body by the lining of the inner mouth using the Company's proprietary RapidMist™ device. Antigen Express, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Generex. The core platform technologies of Antigen Express comprise immunotherapeutic vaccines for the treatment of malignant, infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases. Antigen Express has pioneered the use of specific CD4+ T-helper stimulation technologies in immunotherapy. One focuses on modification of peptides with Ii-Key to increase potency, while a second relies on inhibition of expression of the Ii protein. Antigen Express scientists, and others, have shown clearly that suppression of expression of the Ii protein in cancer cells allows for potent stimulation of T-helper cells and prevents the further growth of cancer cells. For more information, visit the Generex website at www.generex.com or the Antigen Express website at www.antigenexpress.com .
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," "plan," "believes," "will," "achieve," "anticipate," "would," "should," "subject to" or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex cannot be sure when or if it will be permitted by regulatory agencies to undertake additional clinical trials or to commence any particular phase of clinical trials. Because of this, statements regarding the expected timing of clinical trials or ultimate regulatory approval cannot be regarded as actual predictions of when Generex will obtain regulatory approval for any "phase" of clinical trials or when it will obtain ultimate regulatory approval by a particular regulatory agency. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.
SOURCE Generex Biotechnology Corporation
