Dynavax Issued Landmark Patent Covering Second-Generation TLR9 Agonists
BERKELEY, Calif. - August 16, 2007 - Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: DVAX) today announced that the U.S. Patent Office has issued the company a broad composition of matter patent covering the company's proprietary second-generation TLR9 agonists.
The claims cover a broad class of novel TLR9 agonists containing short DNA sequences separated by spacer molecules. These linear chimeric immunomodulatory compounds (CICs), are being developed at Dynavax for application across a wide range of therapeutic categories. The claims cover CICs with or without antigen, and alone or in a pharmaceutical preparation. The current term for this patent expires in June 2022. The patent, U.S. patent No. 7,255,868 B2, was issued August 14, 2007 with inventors Karen Fearon, Dino Dina, M.D., and Stephen Tuck.
According to Dino Dina, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, "We developed the second-generationTLR9 agonists specifically to gain broad patent coverage for a full range of products in our pipeline. The issuance of this landmark patent provides broad patent coverage for novel and non-obvious molecules that are completely different from our first generation TLR9 agonists. We have pending applications in this family that we believe have the potential to expand the scope of coverage."
About Dynavax
Dynavax Technologies Corporation discovers, develops, and intends to commercialize innovative TLR9 agonist-based products to treat and prevent infectious diseases, allergies, cancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases using versatile, proprietary approaches that alter immune system responses in highly specific ways. Our TLR9 agonists are based on immunostimulatory sequences, or ISS, which are short DNA sequences that enhance the ability of the immune system to fight disease and control chronic inflammation. Our product candidates include HEPLISAV, a hepatitis B vaccine in Phase 3; TOLAMBA, a ragweed allergy immunotherapy; a therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Phase 2 and for metastatic colorectal cancer in Phase 1; and a therapy for hepatitis B also in Phase 1. Our preclinical asthma and COPD program is partnered with AstraZeneca. Our preclinical work on a vaccine for influenza is partially funded by the NIH. Our colorectal cancer trial and our preclinical hepatitis C therapeutic program are funded by Symphony Dynamo, Inc. While the NIH and SDI provide program support, Dynavax has retained rights to seek strategic partners for future development and commercialization. For more information, please visit http://www.dynavax.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements about the scope of our CIC patent coverage and the potential to obtain expanded coverage. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, including; the possibility of litigation or other challenges to the validity or scope of our patents, possible claims against us based on the patent rights of others; and other risks detailed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
Contact:
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
Shari Annes
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone (650) 888-0902
Email: sannes@dynavax.com