MycoLogics, Inc. Moves Closer towards the Discovery of a San Joaquin Valley Fever Vaccine (Coccidioidomycosis)
MycoLogics, Inc. today announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to derive a novel vaccine against the emerging disease San Joaquin Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis).
Denver, CO (PRWEB) February 5, 2004--MycoLogics, Inc., an innovative
biotechnology company specializing in the development of therapeutic and
prophylactic vaccines against human fungal and parasitic pathogens, today
announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human
Services to derive a novel vaccine against the emerging disease San Joaquin
Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis). San Joaquin Valley Fever is a fungal disease
caused by Coccidioides immitis, endemic in portions of California, Arizona, New
Mexico and Texas, where more than five million people are residing in these
at-risk regions.
At least 100,000 new cases of San Joaquin Valley Fever
are reported per year. An acute respiratory infection occurs between seven days
to three weeks after exposure to airborne spores that have been inhaled
following the turning of soil where the dormant C. immitis spores lie. In a
significant number of cases chronic pulmonary conditions or dissemination to the
meninges, bones, and joints may result, leading to acute life-threatening
disease. A variety of approaches have been used to prevent transmission,
including soil treatments, but only a vaccine can completely eliminate this
infectious disease.
MycoLogics, Inc. is utilizing a vaccine delivery
system that is novel, very low in cost, highly flexible, and able to accommodate
potential “cocktails”; this a possibility not readily available to other current
vaccine projects. Collaboratoring on the project is the California Institute for
Medical Research.
“This award is very exciting for it validates our
approach to the development of a novel vaccine against this very important
pathogen that affects an underserved population living and working in the desert
southwestern United States,” said Claude Selitrennikoff, Ph.D., President and
Chief Executive Officer of MycoLogics, Inc.
About MycoLogics,
Inc.
MycoLogics, Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company specializing
in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against human fungal
and parasitic pathogens, the discovery and isolation of novel antifungal
compounds for therapeutic use, and the development of novel high throughput
assays that target components of fungal cell walls. MycoLogics, Inc. is
headquartered in Aurora, CO at the Fitzsimmons Colorado Bioscience Park. For
more information please visit www.mycologics.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dr. Claude
P. Selitrennikoff, Ph.D.
President and CEO
MycoLogics, Inc.
Colorado
Bioscience Park
12635 East Montview Blvd., Suite 131
Aurora, CO
80010
Tel: (303) 724-1250
Fax: (303) 724-0861
e-mail protected from
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prweb102577.htm