EGEN, Inc. Announces That Phase II Clinical Trial For Advanced Ovarian Cancer Is Open For Enrollment (IL-12)

"EGEN, Inc. announced that the first Phase II clinical trial utilizing EGEN-001 for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer is now open for enrollment. The trial is sponsored by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) under an agreement between the GOG and EGEN, Inc., and is being conducted by a network of researchers led by the GOG at member institutions. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital is the first member institution to open enrollment. Dr. Ronald Alvarez, of UAB Hospital, is the Study Chair for the trial. The GOG Principal Investigator at UAB Hospital is Dr. Mack Barnes....The product utilizes the Company's proprietary TheraPlas® delivery technology and is composed of interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene formulated with a biocompatible delivery polymer. IL-12 is a potent cytokine which works by enhancing the body's immune system against cancer and inhibiting tumor blood supply. We expect a number of the leading cancer centers in the U.S. to participate in this study and planning is underway to initiate additional Phase II trials in 2011, including the evaluation of EGEN-001 in treatment of colorectal cancer patients."...cont'd