Data from Sangamo BioSciences’ programs to develop ZFN-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of HIV/AIDS were discussed in four oral presentations at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI).

Dr. Carl June presented preliminary data from the ongoing investigator-sponsored phase I trial at the University of Pennsylvania as well as data from Sangamo's phase I dose-escalation trial SB-728-902.  The presentation included new data from subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) who underwent a treatment interruption (TI) for a specified period after treatment with SB-728-T as well as subjects on HAART with undetectable virus but suboptimal CD4+ T-cell counts (200-500 cells/ mm3).

Data on preclinical ZFN-Gene modification studies was presented by Paula Cannon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). Professor Cannon discussed Sangamo's preclinical program to develop CCR-specific ZFNs to modify the gene in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to provide protection of the entire immune system from HIV infection.

Robert Doms, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, Department of Microbiology, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, presented data regarding Sangamo's ZFN gene-modification program to generate CD4 T-cells that are resistant to so-called "X4-tropic" strains of HIV, strains of HIV that use the CXCR4 co-receptor to infect cells and are characteristic of late-stage HIV infections.