OXiGENE Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results Nov 9, 2009
"The third quarter of 2009 was transformative for OXiGENE as we worked to strengthen our balance sheet, reacquired full rights to our VDA candidates, and entered into a definitive merger agreement with VaxGen, Inc., which we expect to further strengthen our financial future," commented Peter Langecker, OXiGENE Interim Chief Executive Officer ... In October, OXiGENE announced plans to merge with VaxGen in a stock-for-stock transaction ... Upon closing of the transaction, which is subject to... (Primezone Releases)
Detailed Results from RV 144 HIV Vaccine Trial Published Today in The New England Journal of Medicine and Presented at the AIDS Vaccine 2009 Conference Provide Insight for Future Research Oct 20, 2009
" According to the collaborating partners, the prime-boost combination of ALVAC HIV and AIDSVAX B/E appeared to lower the rate of HIV infection by 31.2 percent compared to placebo based on the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population (n=51 vs. n=74, respectively; p=0.04). There was no effect on the amount of virus in the blood of the study volunteers who received either vaccine or placebo and subsequently became infected with HIV. "Experts are interpreting the results and planning additional... (Canada Newswire)
OXiGENE to Acquire VaxGen in a Stock-for-Stock Merger Oct 15, 2009
Oct. 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OXiGENE, Inc. (Nasdaq: - ) (Stockholm: - ), a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, and VaxGen, Inc. (OTCBB: - ), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which OXiGENE will acquire VaxGen in exchange for common stock of OXiGENE. Upon closing of the transaction, VaxGen will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of OXiGENE, and... (Primezone Releases)
Test AIDS Vaccine in Africa, HIV Virus Co-Discoverer Luc Montagnier Says Oct 7, 2009
The study coupled two vaccines: ALVAC, made by Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis SA, and AIDSVAX from VaxGen Inc., of South San Francisco, California. Neither had stopped the AIDS-causing virus when tested separately in previous studies. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
Africa: Successful HIV Vaccine Study Will Lead to Further Research Oct 1, 2009
Thai men and women were given either a placebo or the "prime-boost" combination of the vaccine ALVAC, from Sanofi Pasteur SA, which is the vaccine division of French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis; and the vaccine AIDSVAX, originally developed by VaxGen Inc. and now held by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit organization created by former VaxGen employees. Half of the volunteers received four "priming" doses of ALVAC and two "boost" doses of AIDSVAX over a six-month period. (allAfrica.com)
Editorial: A dose of hope on AIDS vaccine Sep 30, 2009
Of special note is the fact that one of the two vaccines used together in the test was developed by VaxGen, a Brisbane biotechnology firm. The patent for the treatment is now owned by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit in South San Francisco. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
AIDS vaccine promising; experts urge caution Sep 26, 2009
The trial relied on a combination of a modified canary-pox vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur and a drug made from an engineered version of a protein found on the AIDS virus, which was made by a Brisbane biotechnology company called VaxGen Inc. The patent for the VaxGen vaccine is now owned by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit in South San Francisco. "At this point, especially after all the failures, any promising information is exciting," said Dr. Phillip Berman, a VaxGen... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Experimental AIDS Vaccine Delivers Good News Sep 26, 2009
AIDSVAX was originally developed by VaxGen Inc., and the patent is now held by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit group founded by some former VaxGen employees, AP reported. In addition to the two vaccine patent holders and the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, participants in the Thai trial included the United States Army, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health, the Times reported. (MEDLINEplus)
Vaccine helps prevent HIV Sep 26, 2009
They are ALVAC, from Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis; and AIDSVAX, originally developed by VaxGen Inc. and now held by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit founded by some former VaxGen employees. ALVAC uses canarypox, a bird virus altered so it can t cause human disease, to ferry synthetic versions of three HIV genes into the body. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Finally, a vaccine to combat HIV? Sep 25, 2009
MUMBAI: An experimental combination of two vaccines from Paris-based Sanofi Pasteur and US-based VaxGen has made significant progress in finding a way to combat the illness, researchers said. Results of a six-year long phase III clinical trial in Thailand has proved that the combination of Sanofi-Pasteurs ALVAC canary pox vaccine and the failed HIV vaccine AIDSVAX of VaxGen can lower the rate of HIV infection by 31 ... An experimental combination of two vaccines from Paris-based Sanofi... (India Times)
Vaccine helps prevent HIV infection Sep 25, 2009
They are ALVAC, from Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis; and AIDSVAX, originally developed by VaxGen Inc. and now held by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases, a nonprofit founded by some former VaxGen employees ... -February 2003: Two big studies find that AIDSVAX, an experimental vaccine made by VaxGen, did not protect against infection with HIV.. (AZCentral -- Business)
AIDS vaccine success has scientists optimistic Sep 25, 2009
"The Thailand Ministry of Public Health conducted the study. The U.S. Army has long worked with that government and others to develop and test vaccines and medicines to protect troops and the general public.The study used strains of HIV common in Thailand. Whether such a vaccine would work against other strains in the U.S., Africa or elsewhere in the world is unknown, scientists stressed.Even a marginally helpful vaccine could have a big impact. Every day, 7,500 people worldwide are newly... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Researchers report some success with vaccine for AIDS Sep 25, 2009
The boost comes from Aidsvax, originally made by VaxGen and now owned by the nonprofit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. It contains a genetically engineered version of a protein from the HIV surface. (Boston Globe)
AIDS vaccine "important step" against disease Sep 25, 2009
Reuters AlertNet - AIDS vaccine "important step" against disease. Fri, 06:06 25 Sep 2009 GMT. (AlertNet)
HIV Vaccine Regimen Demonstrates Modest Preventive Effect In Thailand Clinical Study Sep 25, 2009
"For the first time, an investigational HIV vaccine has demonstrated some ability to prevent HIV infection among vaccinated individuals. Additional research is needed to better understand how this vaccine regimen reduced the risk of HIV infection, but certainly this is an encouraging advance for the HIV vaccine field. "We thank the trial staff in Thailand and the United States for their years of effort in successfully conducting this study and the study participants and the people of Thailand... (Science Daily)
The value of persistence Sep 25, 2009
Tim Mastro, former head of the CDC's HIV vaccine unit, said Francis tried to persuade the National Institutes of Health to fund clinical trials of the vaccine, and when it said no, he helped spin off the technology into the startup VaxGen, to raise private funds for the tests ... As president of VaxGen from 1996 to 2004, Francis helped raise about $200 million and oversaw clinical trials of the AIDS vaccine in North America and Thailand ... "It was a difficult time," said Francis, who joined... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Technology)
Successful AIDS-Vaccine Trial Raises Hopes — and Questions Sep 25, 2009
The vaccine, called RV144, combined two older vaccines that had each proved unsuccessful in previous tests: ALVAC, from Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis; and AIDSVAX, originally developed by VaxGen Inc. and now held by the nonprofit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. The vaccine was administered in two stages. (Time.com)
HIV vaccine: All you wanted to know Sep 25, 2009
The vaccine is not new but is a combination of Sanofi-Pasteur's ALVAC canarypox/HIV vaccine, which has synthetic versions of three HIV genes spliced into it, and the failed HIV vaccine AIDSVAX, made by a San Francisco company called VaxGen and now owned by the nonprofit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. AIDSVAX is made using two versions of one HIV gene, one from the B subtype or clade common in Europe and North America, and one from the E clade, common in Thailand. (India Times, India)
Notable dates in the AIDS epidemic Sep 25, 2009
February 2003: Two big studies find that AIDSVAX, an experimental vaccine made by VaxGen, did not protect against infection with HIV.. Feb. 17, 2004: A U.N. report warns of the growing AIDS crisis in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Uganda: New Hope for Aids Vaccine Sep 25, 2009
The vaccine is a combination of Sanofi-Aventis's ALVAC canary pox vaccine and the failed HIV vaccine AIDSVAX, made by VaxGen and now owned by the non-profit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. "The study results, representing a significant scientific advance, are the first demonstration that a vaccine can prevent HIV infection in a general adult population and are of great importance," the UN agencies added. (allAfrica.com)
AIDS breakthrough as vaccine cuts infections for first time Sep 25, 2009
The study combined the canarypox vaccine ALVAC, manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis of France, and AIDSVAX, originally made by VaxGen Inc and now licensed to the non-profit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. Researchers said the latest vaccine showed a 31. (Yahoo! Asia News)
HIV Vaccine Study First to Show Some Effectiveness in Preventing HIV Sep 24, 2009
The first, or "prime" vaccine, known as ALVAC HIV, was developed by sanofi pasteur and the booster vaccine, AIDSVAX B/E, was originally developed by VaxGen and is now licensed to Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases. The proof-of-concept study, which began in 2003, was designed to evaluate the vaccine strategy's ability to prevent HIV infection, as well as its ability to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood of those who became infected after they enrolled in the study. (PR Newswire)
Medical breakthrough as vaccine cuts AIDS infection risk for first time Sep 24, 2009
" onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. 2 per cent efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV infection. (Channelnewsasia.com)
NEW AIDS VACCINE Sep 24, 2009
Reuters AlertNet - AIDS vaccine protects 1/3 of Thai trial volunteers. Thu, 07:15 24 Sep 2009 GMT. (AlertNet)
Oracle's billionaire CEO gets $84.5M pay package Aug 22, 2009
MaxApp Capital Sends Letter to the Board of Directors of VaxGen Demanding Actions. Shareholders of VaxGen Corporation recently sent the enclosed letter to the Board of Directors of the Company on July 14, 2009 ... July 14, 2009 Mr. Kevin L. Reilly VaxGen Corporation 349 Oyster Point Blvd. South San Francisco, CA 94080 VaxGens Board of Directors: Kevin L. Reilly, Chairman. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Drug investors lose patience Mar 10, 2009
And two companies, VaxGen and NitroMed, have canceled planned reverse mergers because of shareholder opposition. In a reverse merger, a publicly traded company essentially cedes its cash and stock listing to a private company with presumably better prospects. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
