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Aegis Life Awarded Grant to Develop DNA-encoded Antibodies Against Infectious Diseases
June 07, 2023
- New grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports the development of genetic therapies for infectious diseases.
- Aegis Life and Entos Pharmaceuticals will work collaboratively to utilize the Fusogenix PLV gene therapy delivery platform to develop novel DNA-encoded therapeutics.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. & EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aegis Life, Inc. (Aegis), and its parent company Entos Pharmaceuticals (Entos), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetic medicines with its Fusogenix PLV delivery platform, today announced entering into a grant agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of the agreement, the Foundation will provide funding support to develop the Fusogenix PLV platform for the delivery of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases such as HIV, influenzas, and malaria. Aegis is licensed to use Entos’ technology to develop therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases.
"We’re very grateful to have the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as we develop infectious disease therapies using Fusogenix PLV technology,” said John Lewis, Ph.D., CEO of Aegis. “The ability to safely, potently, and cost-effectively deliver therapeutic antibodies for infectious diseases like HIV, influenza, and malaria could dramatically change the trajectory of these diseases which continue to pose significant public health challenges for many low-resource settings around the world.”
Recently used as an effective treatment against COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapies are lab-made proteins that can identify and attack infectious agents similar to how the body’s natural immune response reacts. Although they are safe and effective, monoclonal antibodies are expensive to produce and administer, making these life-saving drugs inaccessible to many people in low-and middle-income countries. By utilizing the Fusogenix PLV platform to deliver DNA encoding the therapeutic antibody directly inside the patient’s cells, the antibodies are made in the patient’s body instead of the lab. This could reduce drug costs significantly and make monoclonal antibody therapies available to everyone.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, there were an estimated 38.4 million people living with HIV and 247 million malaria cases worldwide. An estimated 619,000 people worldwide died from malaria and devastatingly, over 75% of those deaths were children under age 5. Annual influenza epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illnesses annually worldwide.
About Aegis Life, Inc.
At Aegis Life, we develop the next generation of DNA vaccines and therapies for the world's most dangerous diseases by leveraging the Fusogenix PLV platform for nucleic acid delivery, developed by parent company Entos Pharmaceuticals. This breakthrough non-viral gene delivery platform allows us to rapidly develop and advance DNA medicines through the clinical trial process. For more information, visit http://www.aegis.life.
About Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc.
A new reality in genetic medicine lies ahead, one that will be ushered in with the advent of safe, effective, and redosable nucleic acid delivery technologies. At Entos, we develop next generation genetic medicines using our proprietary Fusogenix proteolipid vehicle (PLV) drug delivery system. Fusogenix PLVs are formulated with FAST proteins to enable the delivery of nucleic acid into target cells through direct fusion. For more information, visit www.entospharma.com, or follow Entos on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding Aegis’ belief as to the mode of action and potential and benefits of the Fusogenix proteolipid vehicle platform and the mode of action and potential and benefits of the delivery of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases such as HIV, influenzas, and malaria; and other statements related to anticipated developments in Aegis' business and technologies. In any forward-looking statement in which Aegis expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectations or beliefs are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation, or belief will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause Aegis' actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of Fusogenix as a nucleic acid delivery vehicle, the efficacy of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody therapies, the success and timely completion of preclinical studies, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Investors should consult with the U.S. Securities Commission for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws.
Contact:
Aegis Life Corporate Contact:
John Lewis, Ph.D., Founder and CEO
info@aegis.life
1-800-727-0884
Media Contact:
Perrin Beatty, Ph.D
media@entospharma.com
Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230607005249/en/Aegis-Life-Awarded-Grant-to-Develop-DNA-encoded-Antibodies-Against-Infectious-Diseases
"Reproduced with permission - Entos Pharmaceuticals (Entos),"
- Entos Pharmaceuticals (Entos),
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