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Press release
London, UK – 1st June, 2004
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| Frost & Sullivan lauds FIT Biotech’s
Technological Excellence |
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FIT Biotech Oyj Plc is the recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s 2004 European
Excellence in Technology Award in the field of gene therapy and DNA delivery.
The award recognises the Finland-based company’s efforts to develop innovative
vaccines and gene therapies based on its proprietary gene delivery technology
platform – the Gene Transport Unit (GTU®).
“Significantly, GTU technology is applicable to DNA vaccination as well as to
immuno and gene therapies for the modulation of the immune system via antigens
or cytokines for use in the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and
allergies,” notes Frost & Sullivan Analyst Rajaram Sankaran.
“The technology could also be used in the expression of specific genes in order
to complement a genetic defect. This is useful in the therapy of diseases caused
by mutations in a single gene such as Parkinson's disease or many dermatological
disorders,” he adds.
Leveraging its GTU technology platform, FIT Biotech has built a strong product
pipeline that comprises a therapeutic HIV vaccine, a preventive HIV vaccine, as
well as vaccines for melanoma, diabetes and hepatitis C. FIT Biotech’s HIV
vaccine programs have already progressed to the Phase I/II stage.
FIT Biotech has also built an impressive intellectual property portfolio and has
filed numerous international patents for its technology and the applications
based on it, including novel vectors (GTU), medical devices (device and gene
therapy), self-replicating vectors for DNA immunisation against HIV, AIRE
(immunological mechanisms) and DNMT3L (immune diseases, new genes).
In conjunction with BD Technologies (a unit of Becton, Dickinson and Company),
FIT Biotech is working on the development and delivery of HIV vaccines. A joint
Phase I/II multi-centre clinical trial combines FIT Biotech’s GTU-MultiHIV
(investigational) vaccine with BD’s disposable intradermal delivery device.
As part of a current public-private research partnership with the non-profit
organisation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), FIT Biotech is
testing the GTU-MultiHIV vaccine in human trials in Finland. Such early trials,
should they prove successful, could set the stage for more large-scale tests and
focus attention on a vaccine that has the potential to protect uninfected people
from contracting the HI virus.
For its demonstrated excellence in developing innovative gene-based therapies,
FIT Biotech Oyj Plc is conferred Frost & Sullivan’s Excellence in Technology
Award. Among criteria considered for this award were number of new technologies
developed, their significance, ability to bestow competitive advantage, ease of
adoption, potential to become an industry standard and overall impact in terms
of shifting R&D focus. |
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| About Frost & Sullivan |
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Founded in 1961, Frost & Sullivan is recognised as a global leader in growth
consulting. Frost & Sullivan Awards are presented to companies that demonstrate
excellence in their industry, commending the diligence, commitment and
innovative business strategies required to advance in the global marketplace.
Frost & Sullivan rigorously analyses specific criteria to determine award
recipients in a vast variety of market industries and landscapes. For further
information, visit www.frost.com. |
Contact:
Katja Feick
Corporate Communications
Frost & Sullivan
P: +44 (0) 20 7915 7856
F: +44 (0) 20 7730 3343
E: katja.feick@frost.com |
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| About FIT Biotech Oyj Plc |
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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. |
Contact:
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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