© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.

Biotech company Ceregene, a subsidiary of Cell Genesys, will use a newly issued patent relating to gene therapy methods that could be applied to the treatment of multiple neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Ceregene is a majority-owned subsidiary of custom cancer vaccine manufacturer Cell Genesys, which operates a 35,000-square-foot plant at 4600 Shelby Drive, and employs about 20 people. The San Francisco-based company manufactures its patient-specific GVAX lung cancer vaccines at the Memphis plant.

The patent was issued to the Regents of the University of California from work at its San Diego campus. San Diego-based Ceregene, a biotechnology company focused on gene therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, is the exclusive worldwide licensee of the patent.

Memphis is one of three manufacturing centers for Cell Genesys. A 41,000-square-foot plant in Hayward, Calif., produces cancer vaccines from existing human cell lines, while a 48,000-square-foot plant in San Diego makes the company's virus-based cancer therapies. Memphis represents the third rail of the company, producing Cell Genesys' customized vaccines.

The new patent covers the delivery of neural growth factors to the brain, using both viral and non-viral gene delivery methods. Neurotrophic factors play a key role in growth and proper function of adult nerve cells, and have been studied widely for their potential to treat a number of neurodegenerative diseases.

Ceregene currently is developing proprietary technologies for the delivery of genes encoding neurotrophic factors to the specific regions in the brain, where they could potentially block the degeneration of critical populations of nerve cells.

Ceregene CEO Jeffrey M. Ostrove says the new patent is relevant to all the company's product development programs, including its lead effort in Alzheimer's disease. Ceregene plans to use the technology described in the patent in clinical trials for Alzheimer's gene therapy later this year. The company expects to initiate clinical trials for both Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's disease as well, Ostrove says.