Chuck Panozzo, Founder of Rock Band Styx, Joins GeoVax Labs, Inc. as an Advocate...
Wed May 20, 2009 11:00am EDT
Chuck Panozzo, Founder of Rock Band Styx, Joins GeoVax Labs, Inc. as an
Advocate for Its HIV/AIDS Vaccine
ATLANTA, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin
Board: GOVX), an Atlanta-based, publicly traded biopharmaceutical company
developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus) and other infectious agents, announced today that Chuck Panozzo,
founder of the internationally acclaimed rock band Styx, has joined the GeoVax
Labs awareness campaign as an advocate of the Company's promising HIV/AIDS
Vaccine, currently in Phase 2a human trials.
Mr. Panozzo met GeoVax's lead scientist, Dr. Harriet Robinson, at a recent
awareness campaign in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. He noted, "I was sincerely
touched by her success, and determination in her pursuit to bring an end to
the devastating AIDS pandemic. Having been diagnosed HIV positive in 1991, and
having lost many relatives and friends to HIV/AIDS over the years, I found Dr.
Robinson's quest for a vaccine hitting very close to home."
"Being involved in AIDS research and my commitment to equal rights, are two
very important matters to me. Through my role with Styx, I have been given
the unique opportunity to help make a difference. My music and artistic
expressions have come full circle and has manifested in my involvement with
pediatric AIDS. As a former teacher, I have realized how important education
is and I found it to be a way to combat prejudice and intolerance; two things
which we as society must fight to eradicate."
Mr. Panozzo concluded, "I am not a hero by any means! The real heroes are the
researchers who have dedicated their lives to finding treatments for the
common fellow men. The easier they make the protocols, the more people will
benefit. World governments have not done a very good job in this regard, so it
will be important that we remain vigilant to the cause. Presently, the cost of
treatment is only affordable by the wealthy; a vaccine solution which can be
accessed by all is a key. We have to make sure things are not being ignored.
As long as there are researchers out there like Dr. Harriet Robinson to carry
the flag, we are obligated to help and we will prevail. I want people to know
that something IS being done and hope for millions IS out there."
Dr. Harriet Robinson, Senior Vice President of Research and Development
remarked, "The threat is real, but so is the support. HIV/AIDS affects people
from all classes in America and all over the world. Chuck is a true advocate
of what we at GeoVax are working towards - living with a deadly disease and
preventing further spread - and we are thankful to have him promote our work.
We have a great opportunity and we are making the necessary headway needed to
make this vaccine a reality for the good of humanity."
About Chuck Panozzo
Chuck Panozzo (born Charles Salvatore Panozzo, on September 20, 1948, in
Chicago) is a bass player. A longtime member of the rock band Styx, he founded
the group with his fraternal twin brother, drummer John Panozzo. They recorded
such hit singles as "Lady," "Come Sail Away," "Babe," "The Best of Times,"
"Too Much Time on My Hands" and "Mr. Roboto." Chuck Panozzo continues to tour
with Styx on a regular basis.
In 2001, Panozzo announced he was gay and living with HIV, and has been
involved in campaigning for AIDS awareness and gay rights. The following year
he released his autobiography The Grand Illusion: Love, Lies, and My Life with
Styx.
Additional information on Chuck Panozzo can be found at
www.chuckpanozzosplace.com and www.styxworld.com
About GeoVax Labs, Inc.
GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing human
vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other
infectious agents. GeoVax's AIDS vaccine technology is the subject of 20
issued or filed patent applications. GeoVax AIDS vaccines are designed for use
in uninfected people to prevent Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS),
caused by the virus known as HIV-1, should the person ever become infected.
GeoVax AIDS vaccines also may be effective as therapeutics, treatment of
people already infected with AIDS virus.
GeoVax's core AIDS vaccine technologies were developed by Dr. Harriet
Robinson, Senior V.P. of Research and Development, through a collaboration of
colleagues at Emory University's Vaccine Center, the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and GeoVax.
GeoVax AIDS vaccines have moved forward in human clinical trials conducted by
the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) based in Seattle, Washington. The HVTN,
funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), is the largest worldwide clinical trials program dedicated to the
development and testing of AIDS vaccines. Preclinical work enabling evaluation
of GeoVax DNA and MVA vaccines was funded and supported by NIAID, which
provided additional support to GeoVax AIDS vaccine development program with a
$15 million IPCAVD grant awarded in late 2007.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this news release, not statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and
assumptions on the date of this press release and are subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, whether: GeoVax can develop and
manufacture these vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely
manner, GeoVax's vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax's vaccines will
effectively prevent AIDS in humans, vaccines will receive regulatory approvals
necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to
complete vaccine development, there is development of competitive products
that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax's products, and other
factors over which GeoVax has no control. GeoVax assumes no obligation to
update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so. Certain
matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements
involving certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks
detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and
reports.
SOURCE GeoVax Labs, Inc.
Robert McNally of GeoVax Labs, Inc., +1-404-727-0971, rmcnally@geovax.com; or
Leslie Loyet, Investor Relations, +1-312-640-6672, lloyet@mww.com, or Nikki
Snodgrass, Media Relations, +1-312-640-6732, nsnodgrass@mww.com, both of
Financial Relations Board, for GeoVax Labs, Inc.