Positive results for Targeted Genetics’ arthritis platform

The data, presented in two abstracts at the American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT) 2006 Annual Meeting, demonstrate that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2), the delivery vector used in the company’s clinical development candidate tgAAC94, supports sustained transgene expression for at least one year following a single intra-articular administration. In addition, potent anti-inflammatory activity has been achieved using an AAV vector based on an alternate serotype, AAV1.

These studies provide important information that may be used to optimize the safety and efficacy of AAV-based therapeutic products for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis and, potentially, other diseases.

“These studies are important because AAV-1 based vectors deliver genes into muscle cells very efficiently resulting in the muscle cells secreting proteins produced from those genes into the blood stream,” explained H Stewart Parker, president and CEO of Targeted Genetics. “Thus, intramuscular administration of AAV vectors may provide a new paradigm for systemic therapy for inflammatory arthritis and other chronic diseases that are currently treated with therapeutic protein products.”