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SAN DIEGO — Inovio Biomedical Corporation (AMEX:INO), a leader in enabling the development of DNA vaccines using electroporation-based DNA delivery, announced today that its partner, Tripep AB of Sweden, has reported preliminary results from the first patient to complete treatment with Tripep’s therapeutic hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine, ChronVac-C([R]), which was delivered using Inovio’s electroporation-based DNA delivery system. In this phase I/II clinical study, the treatment has so far been safe and tolerable. Samples taken before, during and after treatment showed that before vaccination the patient did not have a detectable cell-mediated immune response against HCV but such an immune response became detectable after treatment was completed. Inovio’s electroporation delivery technology is intended to enhance the potency of DNA-based immunotherapies, including DNA vaccines, against cancers and infectious diseases.

ChronVac-C([R]) is a therapeutic DNA vaccine being given to individuals already infected with hepatitis C virus with the aim to clear the infection by boosting a cell-mediated immune response against the virus. It is known that patients who spontaneously clear their infection have also developed this type of immune response.

This clinical study is being conducted at the Infectious Disease Clinic and Center for Gastroenterology at the Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge and Solna (Sweden), respectively. Intended enrollment is 12 patients divided into three dose groups with increasing doses of ChronVac-C([R]). Each patient receives four ChronVac-C([R]) vaccinations one month apart. After the last vaccination, patients are followed for another six months. The study’s main purpose is to assess safety. It is also testing whether the treatment boosts the immune response to HCV and its effect on virus replication in the liver. If the patient is completely virus-free six months after completing treatment, he/she will be considered cured. This first reported data was from the first patient in the lowest dose group. Five patients have been treated and no unexpected side effects have been observed.

"We are pleased that this first infectious disease DNA vaccine to be delivered in humans using electroporation-based DNA delivery has provided initial evidence of being safe and inducing a cell mediated immune response against the hepatitis C virus," stated Avtar Dhillon, MD, Inovio’s president and CEO. "We look forward to seeing additional data, particularly from the higher dose groups, relating to this potential treatment to a pervasive and difficult-to-treat disease."

About Hepatitis C and ChronVac-C

Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood, the major causes worldwide being the use of unscreened blood transfusions and re-use of inadequately sterilized needles and syringes. As many as 70% - 90% of newly infected patients may progress to develop chronic infection (WHO: 2002). Of those with chronic liver disease, 5% - 20% may develop cirrhosis. About 5% of infected persons may die from the consequences of long term infection (due to liver cancer or cirrhosis). Globally, an estimated 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV, representing a reservoir sufficiently large for HCV to persist, and 3 to 4 million persons are newly infected each year. In the US, while new incidences of HCV have dropped dramatically, an estimated 4.1 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 3.2 million are chronically infected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2006). The total market for therapies against hepatitis C infections is estimated to be over 2 billion dollars and is expected to grow to more than 8 billion dollars by 2015.

HCV infections in the liver do not trigger an immune response very effectively. Certain antiviral therapies, while expensive, are somewhat effective in treating hepatitis C. There is no vaccine currently available to prevent hepatitis C. ChronVac-C(R) is a therapeutic DNA vaccine designed with the aim of stimulating the body’s immune system. Animal experiments demonstrated that ChronVac-C vaccination activated B-cells and T-cells (the latter being regarded as the most significant to clearing the chronic infection relating to hepatitis C) that killed cells producing HCV protein. In humans, the ChronVac-C DNA plasmid is being injected into muscle tissue, where vaccinations are usually given, and taken up by muscle cells with the assistance of Inovio’s electroporation-based DNA delivery system. These muscle cells are expected to produce predetermined antigens that may activate the body’s immune system to attack all cells producing HCV proteins.

About Tripep AB

Tripep AB is a Swedish biotechnology research company that develops and commercializes candidate drugs based on patented and proprietary technologies. Its main focuses are research and clinical development of ChronVac-C(R), a therapeutic vaccine against hepatitis C; preclinical research focusing on the development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against influenza A and HIV; and the RAS(R) technology platform. More information is at www.tripep.se. Contact Jan Nilsson, CEO, at +46 8 449 8480 or jan.nilsson@tripep.se.

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University of Colorado and CDC Study Finds Near 100 Percent Effectiveness in Destroying Dangerous Pathogen

LOUISVILLE, Colo. — StrionAir, the only air purification system proven to kill captured airborne pathogens, today announced the results of a University of Colorado study that found the StrionAir air purification system had a near 100 percent elimination rate for the avian influenza virus. Supported by virus analysis at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a Colorado Environmental Engineering team showed that the disinfection technology at the heart of StrionAir’s filtration system inactivated almost all of the avian influenza virus. The study provided further proof that the StrionAir system not only captures harmful pathogens, but also inactivates them once they’re trapped.

Since 2003, there have been 235 deaths in 372 reported human cases of the avian flu throughout Asia. Concern over the virus spreading to the rest of the world is well-founded. In the last year the first cases of human-to-human transmission have been witnessed - which is the transformation that could lead to a potential pandemic. Proven by the third-party study, StrionAir’s system offers a potent new tool to help contain this threat.

"When it comes to the airborne influenza, containing the disease is imperative," said Professor Mark Hernandez of the University of Colorado, and principal investigator of the study. "The critical aspect of this study is the dual nature of StrionAir’s protection - it both captures and kills pathogens. Many air purification systems capture particles, but don’t necessarily kill them, which leaves a potential breeding ground for microbes, as well the exposure threat when filters are replaced."

The StrionAir system is the result of more than 20 years of development between government agencies and private groups looking to solve health problems before they become pandemics. StrionAir’s electrically enhanced filtration technology creates an environment that is inhospitable to microbes. No other air filtration provider matches StrionAir’s commitment to providing germicidal solutions - not only for avian influenza, but for other life-threatening diseases like tuberculosis, SARS, small pox and human influenza.

"Airborne diseases are one of the modern world’s major healthcare threats, so the natural next step is to ensure optimal indoor air quality to reduce this threat," said Reed Sarver, president and CEO of StrionAir. "Conventional HVAC filtration systems that do not inactivate or kill viable organisms can become a host environment for organisms they are trying to eliminate. Our system has been proven to capture and kill at very low energy costs, providing a practical, operationally cost effective approach to improving the health and safety of indoor air."

To learn more about StrionAir and University of Colorado and CDC study, visit: http://www.strionair.com. To schedule media briefings with company executives, Professor Mark Hernandez and StrionAir customers, contact Michael Adorno at 212.255.0080, ext. 32, or madorno@articulatepr.com.

About StrionAir

StrionAir is the only provider of air-purification technology that captures airborne particles and kills captured pathogens while conserving energy. Confirmed by multiple respected third-party researchers, StrionAir’s patented germicidal-filtration system captures up to 10 times more particles than air-filtration systems typically deployed. Most importantly, it inactivates virtually all captured microbes. StrionAir’s unique solution is a perfect fit for energy-efficient, green buildings as it ensures near-HEPA efficiency, while maintaining low power consumption - reducing energy use and lowering costs. To learn more about StrionAir’s air-purification technology, visit: http://www.strionair.com.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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