Genitope Must Continue Tests of Vaccine

Genitope Corp. received disappointing news Monday when an independent board recommended that a clinical trial of its cancer vaccine continue.

Although the 300-patient trial was scheduled to end in 2007, Genitope believed its vaccine might produce results sooner, allowing it to bring the MyVax vaccine to market quickly. The company’s announcement came after the market close.

Much is riding on the trial for the Redwood City, Calif., company. Genitope has 12 to 18 months of cash remaining, and the vaccine for an incurable form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer, is Genitope’s most advanced product.

Genitope’s vaccine is custom-made for each patient using genetic material from his or her own tumor.

Unlike vaccines for other illnesses, cancer vaccines are given to patients once their disease has taken hold. The theory is the vaccines will train each patient’s immune system to recognize and fight the cancer.

Genitope’s study was designed to show whether the company’s vaccine could double the length of remissions in patients. Two-thirds of patients in the study received a vaccine while the rest got placebo injections.

In keeping with standard practice, Genitope’s trial is being monitored by an independent board of medical experts. Genitope said the next review of data from the clinical trial was planned for mid-2006.

Shares of Genitope closed down 23 cents Monday at $12.21.