rAAV technology highlighted for its potential utility in AIDS prevention.

2004 JUL 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Targeted Genetics Corporation (TGEN) announced that its recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector technology was highlighted for its potential utility in the prevention of AIDS at the 7th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy.

Philip R. Johnson, MD, president of the Columbus Children's Research Institute (CCRI), presented this topic during a scientific symposium titled, "Gene-Based Vaccines: Clinical Applications of Gene-Based Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics (Biodefense, Vaccines, Cancer)."

Johnson discussed the unique attributes of AAV, and its potential to play a role in preventing disease. He focused on Targeted Genetics' ongoing program utilizing rAAV technology as a vaccine candidate to prevent AIDS.

CCRI is one of the collaborative partners participating in Targeted Genetics' rAAV-based AIDS vaccine clinical program. In this clinical program, rAAV vectors are used to deliver select genes from the HIV genome into healthy volunteers in an attempt to elicit immune system responses to prevent AIDS.

The current product candidate now in a phase I clinical trial, tgAAC09, is designed to elicit two different types of immune responses, an antibody response and a cell-mediated response, after a single-shot administration of the product candidate. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative also is a partner in this collaborative effort.

"Utilization of rAAV-based gene delivery offers significant strategic advantages, making this technology uniquely qualified to play a role in disease prevention," said Johnson.

"AAV is a small, stable, naturally occurring virus with high level expression ...