Vaccinex, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VACCINEX AWARDED NIH PHASE II GRANT FOR PRE-CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL CANCER ANTIGEN

Rochester, N.Y. June 21, 2001 Vaccinex, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The grant funds a two-year program to investigate the immunobiology of a novel therapeutic target in breast and bladder cancer. The target emerged as an intriguing antigen in a Phase I effort to identify genes differentially expressed in bladder tumors but not in normal bladder epithelial cells. The antigen is overexpressed in 30% of primary bladder tumors and over 70% of primary and metastatic breast tumors. It is also minimally expressed in vital organs, making it an ideal vaccine target. The specific aims of the Phase II grant examine vaccine and monoclonal antibody therapy directed at this antigen in pre-clinical animal models as well as potential diagnostic applications of this novel gene product.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Zauderer, said "We are honored to receive this grant and appreciate the role of the National Institutes of Health in continued development of this promising candidate for immunotherapy of bladder and breast cancer. Vaccinex has a strong, dedicated group of scientists working toward bringing this product into the first phase of clinical development."

Vaccinex was founded in 1997 by Dr. Zauderer, then Professor of Oncology at the University of Rochester, and Deepak Sahasrabudhe, M.D., Director of the Genito/Urinary Oncology Clinic at the University of Rochester Cancer Center. The Vaccinex discovery platform provides a uniquely efficient means of identifying immune target molecules, called antigens, that are recognized by T cells and B cells. By incorporating such antigens into a novel and effective vaccine delivery system the company expects to develop and commercialize vaccines to stimulate the immune system to attack and eradicate tumor cells that express these antigens on their surface. Since 1997, the company has grown to employ 26 scientists and support staff and, in anticipation of continuing growth, is developing a new 33,000 sq ft facility in Rochester, NY. This grant supplements funding received from other governmental agencies, including an ATP Award from the Department of Commerce, additional SBIR grants for other projects, and funding from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program.

Back to News Archive


About Us Executive Team Board of Directors Scientific/ Clinical Advisors Business Strategy Collabora- tions Antibody Technology Overview Membrane Antibody Expression and Selection Secreted IgG Antibody Selection Antibody Animation Development Strategy Development Pipeline


	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VACCINEX AWARDED NIH PHASE II GRANT FOR PRE-CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL CANCER ANTIGEN Rochester, N.Y. June 21, 2001 Vaccinex, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The grant funds a two-year program to investigate the immunobiology of a novel therapeutic target in breast and bladder cancer. The target emerged as an intriguing antigen in a Phase I effort to identify genes differentially expressed in bladder tumors but not in normal bladder epithelial cells. The antigen is overexpressed in 30% of primary bladder tumors and over 70% of primary and metastatic breast tumors. It is also minimally expressed in vital organs, making it an ideal vaccine target. The specific aims of the Phase II grant examine vaccine and monoclonal antibody therapy directed at this antigen in pre-clinical animal models as well as potential diagnostic applications of this novel gene product. President and Chief Executive Officer, Maurice Zauderer, said "We are honored to receive this grant and appreciate the role of the National Institutes of Health in continued development of this promising candidate for immunotherapy of bladder and breast cancer. Vaccinex has a strong, dedicated group of scientists working toward bringing this product into the first phase of clinical development." Vaccinex was founded in 1997 by Dr. Zauderer, then Professor of Oncology at the University of Rochester, and Deepak Sahasrabudhe, M.D., Director of the Genito/Urinary Oncology Clinic at the University of Rochester Cancer Center. The Vaccinex discovery platform provides a uniquely efficient means of identifying immune target molecules, called antigens, that are recognized by T cells and B cells. By incorporating such antigens into a novel and effective vaccine delivery system the company expects to develop and commercialize vaccines to stimulate the immune system to attack and eradicate tumor cells that express these antigens on their surface. Since 1997, the company has grown to employ 26 scientists and support staff and, in anticipation of continuing growth, is developing a new 33,000 sq ft facility in Rochester, NY. This grant supplements funding received from other governmental agencies, including an ATP Award from the Department of Commerce, additional SBIR grants for other projects, and funding from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program. Back to News Archive Copyright © 2008 Vaccinex, Inc.