Profile: Inovio Biomedical Corporation (INO)

Inovio Biomedical Corporation (Inovio), incorporated on June 29, 1983, is a San Diego-based biomedical company focused on the development of vaccines to prevent or treat cancers and chronic infectious diseases. Inovio develops deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) delivery solutions based on electroporation, which uses brief, controlled electrical pulses to create temporary pores in cell membranes and enable increased cellular uptake of a useful biopharmaceutical. Once the DNA vaccine enters a cell, it can then express the proteins it was encoded to produce. Inovio has multiple systems designed to create different electroporation conditions for different applications consists of two documents: a pulse generator and an applicator that is inserted into selected tissue. The Company’s subsidiaries include Genetronics, Inc., Inovio AS and Inovio Asia Pte. Ltd. In June 2009, Inovio completed its merger with VGX Pharmaceuticals.

MedPulser DNA Electroporation System

Inovio's MedPulser DNA Electroporation System was designed to create conditions to deliver DNA into tumor cells that promote optimal responses to gene-based immunotherapeutic cytokines. The cytokine-encoding plasmid is first injected with a syringe/needle into the selected tumor. Using a remote control, the pulse generator is switched on. High-voltage electrical pulses are generated and delivered through an attached electrical cord into the injected tissue through an electrode-needle array on the applicator. The electrode-needle array consists of a total of six needle-electrodes. The needle-electrode arrays are available in different sizes and configurations to facilitate access to tumors of different sizes and in different locations.

MedPulser DNA Delivery System

The MedPulser DNA Delivery System (DDS) was developed by the Company to optimize the delivery of DNA into muscle cells. The modified system is similar to the MedPulser Electroporation System. The primary differences are in the parameters of the electric pulses delivered by the generator and the needle- electrode configuration of the applicator. The pulse is designed specifically for DNA delivery with a lower strength electrical field of longer duration than for tumor electroporation.

Elgen System

Inovio's Elgen DNA Delivery System is designed primarily for muscle delivery. It consists of a computer-controlled, motorized two needle delivery device that injects DNA and delivers electroporation pulses through one pair of needles. An earlier prototype version of this experimental system is under evaluation in Inovio's clinical trial for a prostate cancer vaccine at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.