Partnership extended with vaccine research groups.

2004 FEB 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Targeted Genetics Corporation (TGEN) announced a 3-year extension of its collaboration agreement with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Columbus Children's Research Institute (CCRI) at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to develop an AIDS vaccine.

The agreement will provide funding to Targeted Genetics of up to US $10.7 million in 2004.

The funding to be received by Targeted Genetics will support manufacturing of clinical supply and preclinical studies to evaluate the utility of various HIV antigens in a multi-component AIDS vaccine.

Under the collaboration, IAVI will separately fund clinical trials of tgAAC09, a rAAV (recombinant adeno associated virus)-based AIDS vaccine candidate, currently in a Phase I clinical study.

"The continued relationship with IAVI and CCRI demonstrates the collaboration members' belief in the potential of a rAAV-based AIDS vaccine," said H. Stewart Parker, president and chief executive officer of Targeted Genetics.

"tgAAC09, our initial product candidate developed as part of this collaboration, represents the first time that a rAAV-based vaccine has been brought into clinical development.

"We believe that vaccines are a logical application and extension of our rAAV vector technology. Results of animal studies to date show a protective immune response to viral infection following single-shot administration. We look forward to results of our phase I study and are pleased to continue work with a team of exceptional talent and expertise."