Inovio: changing paradigm in fighting infection and cancer.

There have been important paradigm shifts in the past: the invention of the wheel allowed moving loads by animal power; the invention of the printing press spread knowledge to an ever larger part of humanity and the invention of the steam engine ushered in the industrial revolution. In the field of medicine the germ theory helped identify the cause of many diseases and led to the development of antibiotics. The search for a cure of certain infectious diseases and cancer led to an unfolding of understanding in the function of the living cell. But, cures for certain infections and cancer remained elusive.

The inventions by Inovio Pharmaceuticals introduces another invention that changes the paradigm of how disease and cancer is to be prevented and fought.

The method calls on the patient's immune system to destroy invading microorganism and remove cancer cells. The method relies on 4 inventions: 1. introduction of DNA into the muscle cells that code for antigens (proteins) of microorganisms and cancer cells 2. accomplish this introduction by a small electric current on the skin called electroporation; 3.  provoke an immune response against camouflage proteins cancer cells use to evade  detection and destruction and 4. use a DNA sequence electroporated into the body to produce monoclonal antibodies.

There are serious advantages using this methodology:
1. First, killed cells are not used so side effects are nil;
2. The antibody response is directed to one site on the antigen, though several antigens (that is their DNA sequences) can be used;
3. The electroporated vaccine or DNA coding for an antigen can be stored at room temperature;
4. The immune system can be used to remove the camouflage proteins cancer cells use to evade destructions. Inovio has several of these: IL-12, IL-33 and IL-28P. That is to say, what is electroporated is not the proteins, but the DNA sequences and the patient's body takes care of the rest;
5. Monoclonal antibodies have been used to save a couple of lives of people who became infected with the Ebola virus. But, the method of separating these antibodies is very costly. However, making the DNA sequence that codes for these antibodies is much much cheaper.

So, where is this tech now? The company has done a P2 study in removing the Human Papillary Virus (HPV) and was able to do in 40% of one study vs 14% in placebo. The method was successful against the AIDS virus and is being tested against Ebola. The results from an influenza study have not yet been disclosed. There are studies underway against hepatitis and the MERS virus. There are four anti cancer studies under way. In these instances the method stimulates the activation of killer t cells that kill cancer cells.

I expect a big fight of pharmas attempting to take over this company.

Disclose: I own some of the stock.