Exhibit 99.1
Sangamo BioSciences Announces Publication in Circulation of Data From ZFP
Angiogenesis Program
Study With Duke University Researchers Describes Potential Benefit of Using
Sangamo's Engineered ZFP Transcription Factors in Peripheral Artery
Disease Therapy
RICHMOND, Calif., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sangamo BioSciences,
Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) announced today the publication of preclinical animal
efficacy data that demonstrate the utility of zinc finger DNA binding protein
transcription factors (ZFP TFs) as a new class of human therapeutics for the
potential treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a debilitating
disease with a national incidence approaching that of coronary artery disease
but few effective treatments.
The study, reported in the American Heart Association journal,
Circulation, was conducted in the laboratory of Brian Annex, MD, Director of
Therapeutic Angiogenesis Research in the Division Cardiology at Duke
University Medical Center and was designed to test the efficacy of a ZFP TF in
a rabbit model of peripheral artery disease. For further details see
http://dukemednews.duke.edu/news/article.php?id=8202 . The ZFP Therapeutic
being tested was developed by Sangamo scientists in partnership with Edwards
Lifesciences Corp. (NYSE: EW) and is now being tested in humans in a Phase I
clinical trial being conducted at the National Institutes of Health.
Additional information about the trial can be found at
http://dir.nhlbi.nih.gov/labs/cb/cip/genetransfer.asp .
"This work is a critical step towards the development of a new approach to
therapeutic angiogenesis," said Dr. Annex. "VEGF is a powerful angiogenic
growth factor that is expressed in several different forms. Previous studies
have tested only single forms of the protein and these have been disappointing
in the clinic. Our study shows that ZFP TF treatment produces all forms of
the VEGF protein in the oxygen starved muscles of the test animals and that we
see statistically significant improvement in blood vessel growth and, most
importantly, improvement in blood flow in the limbs of treated animals. This
approach also reduced cell death in the ischemic tissues."
The authors used an engineered ZFP TF designed to activate the expression
of the endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A) gene. VEGF A
has been extensively documented as an important factor in angiogenesis or
blood vessel growth. Using ZFP TFs to increase the expression of this gene
and the protein that it encodes in ischemic, or oxygen-starved, muscle in
rabbits resulted in statistically significant changes in a number of measures
of efficacy in treated limbs: decrease in cell death in the treated muscle,
increased cell growth and blood vessel density and increases in blood flow.
The ZFP TF tested in the studies reported in Circulation, EW-A-401, is now
being tested in a Phase I clinical trial. In early 2004 Edwards Lifesciences
filed an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and patients are now being treated at the Warren Grant Magnuson
Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland.
Designed as a double blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study
involving 36 patients, the trial seeks primarily to measure EW-A-401's safety
in treating intermittent claudication, a symptom of PAD. In addition,
investigators may gain some preliminary data on the therapy's effectiveness in
improving patients' blood flow, walking capacity, and quality of life.
Edwards has reported an interest in pursuing additional indications for the
therapy, including critical limb ischemia and ischemic heart disease.
"The strength of the data published in the Circulation article was a
significant factor in the decision to move our VEGF ZFP TF approach into human
trials," said Edward Lanphier, Sangamo's president and chief executive
officer. "The work also highlights important technical advantages of our ZFP
TF technology platform. By activating the cell's own copy of the VEGF gene
using an engineered ZFP TF, we enable the production of all of the natural
protein isoforms of VEGF in the same ratios that are normally produced. These
studies, and previous in vivo studies, show that this results in the
generation of functionally intact blood vessels, which we believe will be a
critical advantage for new therapies aimed at stimulating new blood vessel
growth in ischemic cardiovascular and vascular disease."
The paper describing the study appears in the October 19, 2004 issue of
Circulation and is also available online at http://circ.ahajournals.org/ .
Circulation is one of the monthly scientific publications of the American
Heart Association. The journal is ranked number one among 70 journals in the
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems category and among 52 journals in the
Peripheral Vascular Disease category.
Peripheral Artery Disease Affects between 8 Million and 10 Million
Americans
According to the American Heart Association, PAD is estimated to affect
between 8 million and 10 million people in the United States, although the
condition is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. PAD is caused by
blockages to the arteries that supply the legs with blood. The initial sign
of PAD is leg muscle pain during exercise. As the disease progresses, patients
can experience leg pain even when resting. Eventually, some PAD patients have
such poor blood flow that they develop leg ulcers that do not heal.
About Sangamo
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc is focused on the research and development of
novel DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene regulation and repair. The
company's most advanced therapeutic development program, currently in a
Phase I clinical trial, involves the use of transcription factors for the
treatment of peripheral artery disease. Other therapeutic development programs
are focused on diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart
failure, cancer, neuropathic pain, and infectious and monogenic diseases.
Sangamo's core competencies enable the engineering of a class of DNA-binding
proteins known as zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFPs). By engineering ZFPs
that recognize a specific DNA sequence Sangamo has created ZFP transcription
factors (ZFP TFs) that can control gene expression and, consequently, cell
function. Sangamo is also developing sequence-specific ZFP-Nucleases (ZFNs)
for therapeutic gene modification as a treatment and possible cure for a
variety of monogenic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and for infectious
diseases such as HIV. For more information about Sangamo, visit the company's
web site at www.sangamo.com or www.expressinglife.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Sangamo's current expectations. These forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, references to the research and development of novel ZFPs,
therapeutic applications of Sangamo's ZFP technology platform and the outcome
of, or information that may be acquired from clinical trials. Actual results
may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a number of
factors, including technological challenges, Sangamo's ability to develop
commercially viable products and technological developments by our
competitors. See the company's SEC filings, and in particular, the risk
factors described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its most
recent 10-Q. Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. assume no obligation to update the
forward-looking information contained in this press release.
SOURCE Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
-0- 10/19/2004
/CONTACT: Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D. of Sangamo Biosciences, Inc.,
+1-510-970-6000, ext. 271, or Ewolffe@sangamo.com; or media, Kathy
Jones-Nugent, or investors, John Nugent, both of Burns McClellan, Inc.,
+1-212-213-0006, for Sangamo BioSciences, Inc./
/Web site: http://www.expressinglife.com /
/Web site: http://www.sangamo.com /
(SGMO EW)
CO: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.; Edwards Lifesciences Corp.; American Heart
Association
ST: California
IN: BIO HEA MTC HED
SU: SVY PDT