GlobeImmune has announced positive interim data from their randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled Phase Ib study of their GI-5005 Tarmogen in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To date GI-5005 is well tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. The preliminary data has demonstrated that the treatment has converted subjects with a weak cellular immune response, typical of chronic HCV patients, to a strong cellular immune response, and the immune responses observed have shown statistically significant changes in ALT levels and viral load.
Tarmogens (Targeted Molecular Immunogens) are whole, heat-killed recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, genetically modified to express one or more protein targets that stimulate the immune system against diseased cells. The whole heat-killed yeast, with the antigen expressed inside is the product that is administered to the patient. Tarmogens program the cytotoxic T cells in the patient’s immune system to eliminate diseased cells containing the antigen.
Check out the June 2006 Red Herring Top 100 Startup Companies in North America: GlobeImmune article (here).
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