GenVec Technology Used To Restore Lost Balance Function

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GenVec, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNVC) announced that new research has been published online ahead of print in the journal Gene Therapy, and can be accessed at http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/gt.2011.33.

The article, "Selective atonal gene delivery improves balance function in a mouse model of vestibular disease," describes research conducted by Hinrich Staecker, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, in which the use of a vector targeted to and limited in expression to supporting cells can be used to restore balance function in an animal model.

"This research contributes to our understanding of how GenVec's technology can be applied in the field of regenerative medicine," noted Douglas E. Brough, Ph.D., GenVec's Vice President of Research. "Our proprietary technology can stimulate gene expression in target cells and lead to improved function. These next generation vectors provide the additional advantage of more selective gene delivery."

About GenVec

GenVec, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company using superior, proprietary technology to create differentiated vaccines and therapeutics that are developed and commercialized through collaborations. GenVec is working with leading companies and organizations such as Novartis, Merial, and the US Government to support a portfolio of product programs that address the prevention and treatment of a number of significant human and animal health concerns. GenVec's development programs address therapeutic areas such as hearing loss, balance disorders, and cancer; as well as vaccines against infectious diseases including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HSV-2, dengue fever, influenza, HIV, malaria, and foot-and-mouth disease. Additional information about GenVec is available at www.genvec.com and in the Company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding funding, manufacturing the development of products and the success of the collaboration with Novartis, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.  GenVec cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including the failure by GenVec to secure and maintain relationships with collaborators; risks relating to the early stage of GenVec's product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of GenVec's proposed product candidates; uncertainties related to the outcome and process of GenVec's previously announced strategic review, dependence on the efforts of third parties; dependence on intellectual property; and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund our operations.  Further information on the factors and risks that could affect GenVec's business, financial conditions and results of operations, are contained in GenVec's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and GenVec assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

Investor and Media Contact:GenVec, Inc. Douglas J. Swirsky [phone] [e-mail]

SOURCE GenVec, Inc.

Copyright 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.