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Woodlands company developing a DNA therapy for cancer
By T.L. Hamilton
THE WOODLANDS – VGX Animal Health is developing what could be an impressive breakthrough in DNA therapy to treat the effects of cancer and lower infant mortality rates in humans.
The Woodlands-based pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday that it would begin selling LifeTide, a drug that stimulates growth hormones, for use in pigs in Australia, company spokesman Doug Kern said.
Once more funding is secured, the company will seek to sell the drug stateside.
Versions for humans, other livestock and companion animals like dogs and cats are being developed as well.
The drug is administered as a once-in-a-lifetime treatment for use in sows of breeding age to increase the number of piglets weaned.
Licensing studies completed in Australia demonstrated a significant decrease in perinatal mortality and morbidity, resulting in an increase in sow productivity and the number of pigs weaned per sow.
The fact that the treatment elicits a reaction that boosts a sow’s body condition also has broad implications for people with chronic diseases.
Other studies have shown that LifeTide can double the life span of dogs with cancer, Kern said.
It eliminates the anemia associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“We don’t make (the dog) immortal, but we do make the quality of life hugely better and extend his life span,” Kern said.
The timeline for versions to be available for companion animals and humans is up in the air.
Kern said the treatment for pets should be relatively affordable, and the company hopes the Food and Drug Administration will approve it within the next five years.
Versions for breeding pigs and livestock may be approved for use earlier.
While the Food and Drug Administration categorizes LifeTide as a drug, Kern said the process involves treating the animal with its own DNA.
The animal’s body reacts by releasing more growth hormone, resulting in an stronger immune system and, in breeding sows, increased milk production.
“So the animal creates its own drug,” Kern said.
The result is fewer piglets who die from disease or undernourishment.
“Once the sow has been treated, her immune system is more active so she passes that on,” Kern said. “It’s a very nice way to pass on the chances of surviving longer to the piglet.”
Once developed for humans, the drug could dramatically affect birthrates worldwide.
About six babies per 1,000 births in the United States die each year, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s 2008 World Factbook.
In Africa, about 182 babies per 1,000 births die in Angola, and 156 out of 1,000 die in Sierra Leone.
“In 10-15 years from now, people will probably think we should have been doing this all along – working to get away from drugs,” Kern said.
“It’s just giving a boost to the genetic material that’s already there.”
The Woodlands-based pharmaceutical company announced Tuesday that it would begin selling LifeTide, a drug that stimulates growth hormones, for use in pigs in Australia, company spokesman Doug Kern said.
Once more funding is secured, the company will seek to sell the drug stateside.
Versions for humans, other livestock and companion animals like dogs and cats are being developed as well.
The drug is administered as a once-in-a-lifetime treatment for use in sows of breeding age to increase the number of piglets weaned.
Licensing studies completed in Australia demonstrated a significant decrease in perinatal mortality and morbidity, resulting in an increase in sow productivity and the number of pigs weaned per sow.
The fact that the treatment elicits a reaction that boosts a sow’s body condition also has broad implications for people with chronic diseases.
Other studies have shown that LifeTide can double the life span of dogs with cancer, Kern said.
It eliminates the anemia associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“We don’t make (the dog) immortal, but we do make the quality of life hugely better and extend his life span,” Kern said.
The timeline for versions to be available for companion animals and humans is up in the air.
Kern said the treatment for pets should be relatively affordable, and the company hopes the Food and Drug Administration will approve it within the next five years.
Versions for breeding pigs and livestock may be approved for use earlier.
While the Food and Drug Administration categorizes LifeTide as a drug, Kern said the process involves treating the animal with its own DNA.
The animal’s body reacts by releasing more growth hormone, resulting in an stronger immune system and, in breeding sows, increased milk production.
“So the animal creates its own drug,” Kern said.
The result is fewer piglets who die from disease or undernourishment.
“Once the sow has been treated, her immune system is more active so she passes that on,” Kern said. “It’s a very nice way to pass on the chances of surviving longer to the piglet.”
Once developed for humans, the drug could dramatically affect birthrates worldwide.
About six babies per 1,000 births in the United States die each year, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s 2008 World Factbook.
In Africa, about 182 babies per 1,000 births die in Angola, and 156 out of 1,000 die in Sierra Leone.
“In 10-15 years from now, people will probably think we should have been doing this all along – working to get away from drugs,” Kern said.
“It’s just giving a boost to the genetic material that’s already there.”
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