FIT Biotech enters clinical collaboration with BD
March 29 2004, Press release
FIT Biotech announced today it has signed an agreement with BD Technologies, a unit of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), to collaborate for the development and delivery of HIV vaccines. The parties initiated a Phase I/II multi-center clinical trial combining FIT Biotech´s GTU®-MultiHIV vaccine with BD’s disposable intradermal delivery device earlier this year. This clinical trial is part of FIT Biotech’s collaborative clinical program to develop a vaccine against HIV.
"As a leader in drug delivery, BD is pleased to participate with FIT Biotech on new initiatives to eliminate HIV, a significant worldwide health issue. We are optimistic that our advanced drug delivery technologies, in combination with the FIT vaccine, might provide medical benefit and important advances in the field," stated Dr. Charles Goldstein, VP Research and Director of BD Technologies.
“FIT Biotech’s HIV vaccine is based on the use of our promising DNA vector, which is capable of inducing a strong cell-mediated immune response, together with an artificial immunogen expressing most of the HIV proteins. We believe the combination of our vaccine with BD’s immune system targeted delivery device will be able to induce protective as well as therapeutic responses,” explained Prof. Kai Krohn, Senior VP and Chief Scientific Officer of FIT Biotech.
About FIT Biotech Oyj Plc
FIT Biotech Plc (www.fitbiotech.com) is an innovative medical biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of its proprietary Gene Transport Unit (GTU®) technology and GTU product applications in DNA vaccination and immune therapy. The company’s other areas of expertise are artificial immunogen, recombinant protein and antibody technologies, as well as GMP grade process development and production of DNA vaccines. In addition, the company has developed and launched test kits for the detection of natural latex allergens. FIT Biotech was established in 1995 and is located in Tampere, Finland, with operations also in Tartu, Estonia.
For additional information:
Kalevi Reijonen
CEO & President
FIT Biotech Oyj Plc
Tel. +358 40 843 5695
Fax +358 3 3138 7050
E-mail: kalevi.reijonen@fitbiotech.com
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