Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. announced today the
successful completion of its previously announced first small
animal safety and immunogenicity study assessing the effect of
novel Covid-19 vaccine HaloVax™. The vaccine construct was
administered with positive response to the selected COVID-19
peptides in the self-assembling vaccine. Preliminary results of
this study demonstrate initial proof of concept for the algorithm
that was used to select immunogenic peptides.
The Company previously announced it had initiated preclinical
animal testing of the first construct of its HaloVax
Self-Assembling Vaccine (SAV) against COVID-19, while intending to
take two different vaccines, with differing sets of targets
forward, in order to identify the best balance of immune responses
for prevention of this pandemic pathogen. The experience with
the first construct will inform our design of the second vaccine
construct. HaloVax is being developed in conjunction with
Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH).
The vaccine is built on a base of a heat shock protein (HSP70)
that activates the cellular portion of the immune system; this is
different from most other vaccine efforts, which have used
adjuvants such as alum. The second portion of the vaccine consists
of peptides derived from the COVID-19 virus, which are bound to the
heat shock protein via Avidin and Biotin. This enables rapid
iteration and up-to-date data informed changes in the peptide
sequences to enable swift production and accommodate potential
changes or mutations in the pathogen itself. The selected
immunogenic peptides complete the customized COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Mark Poznansky, Director, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center,
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) stated, “The heat shock
protein that is the immune activating component of our vaccine has
previously shown efficacy in facilitating a productive immune
response, while minimizing mechanisms known to induce adverse
reactions to a vaccine. Our goal has always been to rapidly develop
and test a vaccine that could help the population at large, and
especially individuals who are at increased risk for the most
serious complications of COVID-19 infection. With today’s
announcement of successful preclinical animal testing, we believe
we continue to make material progress towards the potential success
of our new COVID-19 vaccine.”
The vaccine is currently in development by HaloVax, LLC a
biopharmaceutical company and special purpose subsidiary of Voltron
Therapeutics, Inc. The company was established to advance an
application of VaxCelerate, the SAV platform licensed from the
Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC) at Massachusetts General
Hospital (MGH) specifically for the rapid development of vaccines
against emerging pathogens including COVID-19 and specific types of
cancer. The VaxCelerate platform was developed to improve patient
outcomes by activating and targeting the immune system to identify
and destroy the infectious agent. Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. has
acquired an exclusive worldwide license to this technology from
MGH.
“Our team continues to work tirelessly to advance HaloVax as we
continue the development and, potentially, deployment of a vaccine
that will not only prevent disease, but will offer safe
administration with a strong immune response,” said Pat Gallagher,
Chief Executive Officer, Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. “Our confidence
is heightened by the recent completion of first small animal safety
and immunogenicity study. “We are optimistic that given the kind of
safety profile we are targeting in the development of HaloVax, this
successful preclinical testing will rapidly lead to a final vaccine
construct and human trials, which will bring us closer to a safe
and effective vaccine to help prevent COVID-19 disease.”
About Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
Voltron Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was founded
in 2017 to lead and accelerate the development of the Vaccine and
Immunotherapy Center (VIC), and the Massachusetts General
Hospital’s novel Self Assembling Vaccine technology in a variety of
indications, including in Oncology and emerging Infectious
Diseases. Voltron holds an exclusive worldwide license to this
technology. With the work of our world class team of researchers
and physicians, this technology has shown in certain pre-clinical
studies initial proof of concept in two infectious diseases (Lassa
Fever and Q Fever) as well as two oncology indications (Ovarian and
HPV Related Cancers). For more information please visit
www.voltrontx.com.
About HaloVax™, LLC
HaloVax, LLC is a special purpose subsidiary of Voltron
Therapeutics, Inc. in joint venture with Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.
(NASDAQ: HOTH) The mission of HaloVax is to develop a novel,
Self-Assembling Vaccine against COVID-19, utilizing technology
licensed by Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. from the Vaccine and
Immunotherapy Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The
vaccine is being designed from a validated platform to provide
customized T cell immunity against COVID-19, as well as be able to
adapt rapidly to potential genetic drift of the virus. For more
information, please visit
www.HaloVax.com.
About Hoth Therapeutics, Inc.
Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation
therapies for dermatological disorders. Hoth’s pipeline has the
potential to improve the quality of life for patients suffering
from indications including atopic dermatitis, chronic wounds,
psoriasis, asthma and acne. To learn more, please
visit www.hoththerapeutics.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but
are not limited to, statements that relate to the advancement and
development of the VaxCelerate Platform, the commencement of
clinical trials, the availability of data from clinical trials and
other information that is not historical information. When used
herein, words such as “anticipate”, “being”, “will”, “plan”, “may”,
“continue”, and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or
information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances, including any underlying
assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements
are based upon Voltron’s current expectations and various
assumptions. Voltron believes there is a reasonable basis for its
expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain.
Voltron may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not
prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those
described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result
of various important factors, including, without limitation, market
conditions and any Voltron filings made with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Consequently, forward-looking statements
should be regarded solely as Voltron’s current plans, estimates and
beliefs. Investors should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Voltron cannot guarantee future
results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Voltron does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation
to update, republish, or revise any forward-looking statements to
reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to
reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be
required by law.
Investor Contacts:
Matt Duffy President Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. 646-335-5923
mduffy@luciuspartnersllc.com
Jason Assad Investor Relations Voltron Therapeutics, Inc.
678-570-6791 jwassad@bellsouth.net
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