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news.Corautus Genetics and Boehringer Ingelheim Austria have entered into a long-term manufacturing agreement to produce VEGF-2 plasmid DNA for a phase III trial and future commercial use for the treatment of severe angina and other indications.
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Corautus’ cardiac therapy, which is considered regenerative medicine, seeks to treat the underlying causes of severe coronary artery disease through direct injection of VEGF-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor 2) into ischemic cardiac muscle.
Based on data from earlier clinical trials, Corautus believes that when VEGF-2 is introduced into ischemic cardiac muscle, it will stimulate the growth of new blood vessels and improve cardiac function.
The VEGF-2 is delivered via a non-viral vector system in which the naked DNA plasmid is injected directly into the tissue where the gene transfer occurs. Corautus believes that there are several advantages to this over other gene transfer delivery systems, including minimal side effects and the fact that the gene is not inserted into the genome.
“We are pleased to enter this agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Austria as we look beyond our ongoing phase IIb trial and begin planning the phase III trial and projected future commercialization of our therapeutic for severe angina,” commented Richard Otto, CEO of Corautus.