CHICAGO, July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Errant Gene Therapeutics,
LLC (“EGT”), a pioneering boutique drug development firm
specializing in Rare Diseases, announced the transfer of its
clinical grade lentiviral vector, TNS 9.55.3, to Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center (“MSKCC”). TNS 9.55.3 developed by
EGT pursuant to an exclusive license agreement with Sloan Kettering
Institute (SKI), will be used for MSKCC’s upcoming beta Thalassemia
human clinical trial. The trial protocol provides for the “in
vitro” treatment of beta-thalassemia patients, offering the
prospect for a cure for a chronic condition which would otherwise
subject the patient to early death without incurring life-long
regular blood transfusions and chelation therapy.
A new definitive agreement between EGT and SKI provides for
MSKCC to lead the clinical trials and arrange for drug development
partnerships for the treatment of beta-Thalassemia and Sickle Cell
Disease, two of the worlds most prevalent and devastating
hereditary blood conditions.
EGT continues its decade’s long commitment to cure
beta-Thalassemia, also called Cooley’s Anemia, through dedicated
outreach to patient and research communities around the world. Pat
Girondi, EGT founder and CEO, stated, “the pioneering research of
SKI’s Sadelain team is positioned to deliver the safest and most
effective cure for the many millions of patients whose hopes and
prayers we have honored with our total dedication.” EGT received
protocol approval for the upcoming trials by unanimous vote of the
Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the NIH in 2007, and was
granted orphan drug designation by both the FDA and the EMEA. The
clinical trial is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of
2011.
Sam Salman, EGT’s president said that with “MSKCC and SKI taking
the lead in the clinical and developmental activities for TNS
9.55.3, EGT will be able to further progress its pre-clinical
programs for its novel drug cancer ther
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