AVI BioPharma and ImmunoTherapy Corporation Initiate GMP Manufacturing for Phase III Trials of Avicine

AVI BioPharma (AVI; Corvallis, OR) and ImmunoTherapy Corporation (ITC; Seattle, WA) have initiated a manufacturing contract with Peninsula Laboratories, Inc. for the synthesis of their proprietary peptide cancer vaccine Avicine. Peninsula Labs (San Carlos, CA) had manufactured Avicine for the previous five clinical trials. Under the new contract, Peninsula Labs will manufacture the product under the FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practice Regulations (cGMPs) for the companies' Phase III licensing trial in colorectal cancer patients, scheduled to begin later this year.

"With extensive experience in the field of cancer vaccines, Peninsula Labs provides us with the expert manufacturing capabilities needed for the synthesis of our innovative cancer vaccine," said Denis Burger, Ph.D., president and CEO of AVI BioPharma. "As a result, we are one step closer to initiating our last round of trials of Avicine in colorectal cancer patients. We are extremely encouraged by the data collected thus far and are anxious to begin Phase III licensing trials later this year."

Edited by Beth Brindle

For more information: Denis R. Burger, Ph.D., President & CEO, AVI BioPharma, 4575 SW Research Way, Suite 200, Corvallis, OR 97333. Tel: 503-227-0554.