MycoLogics, Inc. Moves Closer towards the Discovery of a San Joaquin Valley Fever Vaccine (Coccidioidomycosis)
MycoLogics, Inc. today announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to derive a novel vaccine against the emerging disease San Joaquin Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis).
Denver, CO (PRWEB) February 5, 2004 --MycoLogics, Inc., an innovative biotechnology company specializing in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against human fungal and parasitic pathogens, today announced award of a Phase I SBIR grant by the Department of Health and Human Services to derive a novel vaccine against the emerging disease San Joaquin Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis). San Joaquin Valley Fever is a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis, endemic in portions of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, where more than five million people are residing in these at-risk regions.
At least 100,000 new cases of San Joaquin Valley Fever are reported per year. An acute respiratory infection occurs between seven days to three weeks after exposure to airborne spores that have been inhaled following the turning of soil where the dormant C. immitis spores lie. In a significant number of cases chronic pulmonary conditions or dissemination to the meninges, bones, and joints may result, leading to acute life-threatening disease. A variety of approaches have been used to prevent transmission, including soil treatments, but only a vaccine can completely eliminate this infectious disease.
MycoLogics, Inc. is utilizing a vaccine delivery system that is novel, very low in cost, highly flexible, and able to accommodate potential cocktails"; this a possibility not readily available to other current vaccine projects. Collaboratoring on the project is the California Institute for Medical Research.
This award is very exciting for it validates our approach to the development of a novel vaccine against this very important pathogen that affects an underserved population living and working in the desert southwestern United States," said Claude Selitrennikoff, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MycoLogics, Inc.
About MycoLogics, Inc.
MycoLogics, Inc. is an innovative biotechnology company specializing in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against human fungal and parasitic pathogens, the discovery and isolation of novel antifungal compounds for therapeutic use, and the development of novel high throughput assays that target components of fungal cell walls. MycoLogics, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, CO at the Fitzsimmons Colorado Bioscience Park. For more information please visit www.mycologics.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dr. Claude P. Selitrennikoff, Ph.D.
President and CEO
MycoLogics, Inc.
Colorado Bioscience Park
12635 East Montview Blvd., Suite 131
Aurora, CO 80010
Tel: (303) 724-1250
Fax: (303) 724-0861
claude.selitrennikoff@uchsc.edu
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