TGEN Tecogen Inc

Targeted Genetics' AAV Technology Highlighted in Vaccine Symposium at the 7th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy MINNEAPOLIS, and SEATTLE, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Targeted Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:TGEN) announced that its rAAV (recombinant adeno-associated viral) 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)." Dr. 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 Dr. Johnson. "AAV is a small, stable, naturally occurring virus with high level expression capabilities. Preclinical results from our rAAV-based AIDS vaccine program were quite encouraging, and we have now moved our program into clinical development, providing us with the first opportunity to observe results of our rAAV-based vaccine candidate in humans. If proven effective, this may provide the basis for potential use of rAAV in other vaccine settings." During Dr. Johnson's presentation, he reviewed various preclinical results compiled in support of a clinical program testing an rAAV-based vaccine to prevent AIDS. Highlighted preclinical results included: -- No dose-related or clinically significant safety issues; -- Vaccine did not integrate into host chromosome; -- Robust and sustained dose-dependent antibody and antigen-specific T cell responses; and -- Vaccinated animals were protected from disease with statistically significant reduced viral load at peak and set-point. In December 2003, the collaboration initiated a Phase I clinical trial of tgAAC09 as a single-shot AIDS vaccine candidate. The Phase I, dose-escalation clinical trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will enroll up to 50 volunteers, both men and women, who are uninfected with HIV and in good general health. Each volunteer receives a single intramuscular injection into the upper arm. Following vaccination, study participants will be monitored for safety and evaluated to see if tgAAC09 can elicit an immune response. About Targeted Genetics Targeted Genetics Corporation develops gene-based products for preventing and treating acquired and inherited diseases. The Company has three clinical product development programs, targeting cystic fibrosis, AIDS prophylaxis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Company also has a promising pipeline of product candidates focused on hemophilia and cancer and a broad platform of gene delivery technologies, as well as a promising body of technology for cellular therapy under development by its subsidiary company, CellExSys. For more information about the Company visit its website at http://www.targetedgenetics.com/. This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our research programs, clinical trials, product development and potential related to tgAAC09 and other statements about our plans, objectives, intentions and expectations. These statements, involve current expectations, forecasts of future events and other statements that are not historical facts. Inaccurate assumptions and known and unknown risks and uncertainties can affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect our actual results include, but are not limited to, the timing, nature and results of our research and our clinical trials, our preclinical results with animals are not necessarily indicative of results that will be obtained in humans, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory or institutional approvals, our ability to obtain, maintain and protect our intellectual property related to tgAA09, and our ability to raise capital when needed, as well as other risk factors described in the section entitled "Factors Affecting Our Operating Results, Our Business and Our Stock Price" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. You should not rely unduly on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this release. We undertake no duty to publicly announce or report revisions to these statements as new information becomes available that may change our expectations. DATASOURCE: Targeted Genetics Corporation CONTACT: Courtney Self of Targeted Genetics Corporation, +1-206-521-7392 Web site: http://www.targetedgenetics.com/

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