Portfolio Press Release
Journal of Experimental Medicine Publishes New Dynavax Findings on the Role of TLRS in Cutaneous Lupus
Dynavax Technologies Corporation Press Release
29 November 2010
BERKELEY, CA, (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Dynavax Technologies Corporation today reported in the JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE (JEM) new data that suggests an important role of the key innate immune receptors TLR7 and TLR9 in cutaneous lupus and related skin conditions. In the issue of JEM (Volume 207, Number 13), which was published online today and will appear in print December 20, 2010, Dynavax scientists report development of a novel mouse model for evaluating skin conditions similar to cutaneous lupus. Using that model, Dynavax show that its inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9 prevents and reverses disease in this model, suggesting therapeutic application of the inhibitor for the treatment of cutaneous lupus and related skin conditions.
"This work demonstrates the central role of two innate immune receptors, TLR7 and TLR9, in the inflammatory response to skin injury and shows how injury can lead to chronic disease in mice predisposed to develop lupus. It also significantly extends the list of diseases for which an inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9 may provide benefit," commented Robert Coffman, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Dynavax.
The work was partly supported by a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) intended to advance Dynavax's oligonucleotide-based Toll-like Receptor (TLR) inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases including cutaneous lupus and dermatomyositis.
About Dynavax's TLR Inhibitors
Dynavax's TLR inhibitors are a novel class of oligonucleotides, called immunoregulatory sequences (IRS), that specifically inhibit the TLR-induced inflammatory response associated with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Preclinical data from animal model studies show Dynavax's TLR inhibitors block induction of IFN-alpha and also reduce symptoms in animal models of multiple autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, inflammatory skin disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. Dynavax is developing its TLR inhibitors under a worldwide strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), whereby GSK has an exclusive option to obtain a license to the program.
About Dynavax
Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops novel products to prevent and treat infectious diseases. The Company's lead product candidate is HEPLISAV™, an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine designed to enhance protection more rapidly and with fewer doses than current licensed vaccines. For more information visit www.dynavax.com.
