Houston, TX, (May 17, 2005) Cytogenix, Inc. (CYGX: OTC: BB)
CytoGenix, Inc. (CYGX: OTC: BB) announced today that it has begun an accelerated program to develop DNA vaccines against several diseases including influenza. CytoGenix scientists are constructing a new generation of DNA vaccines employing the Company's breakthrough cell-free synthetic DNA production process.
Unlike traditional vaccines that are made from dead or attenuated pathogens, DNA vaccines carry only the coding sequence for the antigen gene from the disease causing pathogen that is then expressed in human cells to elicit an immune response. Currently DNA vaccines are made by growing the plasmid DNA in recombinant bacteria. This process is lengthy, expensive and risky. The CytoGenix cell-free synthetic DNA production method is less expensive, faster and safer.
The world vaccine market, including pediatric and adult vaccines is estimated at $7-$9 billion in 2005 with an annual growth rate of over 20%. Pediatric vaccines hold the largest share of the overall market, but sales of adult vaccines for influenza and hepatitis have grown significantly over the past few years and will continue to increase in value.
Dr. Malcolm Skolnick, CytoGenix CEO, commented, "This vaccine program is the culmination of our efforts to integrate our experience in developing anti-viral therapeutics with our newly developed synthetic DNA production technology. We expect equal or greater levels of immune response from our synthetic DNA vaccines than from the current generation of plasmid DNA constructs."
CytoGenix, Inc. is a Houston-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets innovative products and services based on its proprietary ssDNA expression technology. The company has developed a breakthrough synthetic process for large-scale production of high purity DNA at fraction of the cost of traditional fermentation methods. CytoGenix currently has one issued US patent and over 48 international or US pending patent applications claiming methods and materials in connection with this platform technology.
SAFE HARBOR: Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, risks associated with the acceptance of new products, competition, and other factors more fully detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information about CytoGenix and its technology can be found on the website at www.cytogenix.com.
Contact: CytoGenix, Inc., Communications Director - Juan Ferreira, (407) 774-9949
