VBI Vaccines Expands Proprietary Technology Platforms With Development of a Novel mRNA-Launched eVLP Vaccine Program
October 26 2023 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
- Preclinical data suggests novel mRNA-launched eVLPs (“MLE”)
generate significantly enhanced B-cell and T-cell responses
compared to mRNA-expression of antigens alone
- In addition to immunologic benefits, new MLE technology enables
manufacturing of particulate vaccines on an accelerated timeline,
similar to other mRNA manufacturing timelines
- Based on encouraging data seen to date, MLE proprietary
technology is under evaluation by multiple potential partners,
including by both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Detailed preclinical data are also being targeted for
presentation at a future scientific conference
VBI Vaccines Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIV) (VBI), a biopharmaceutical
company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention
and treatment of disease, today announced the development of its
next-generation mRNA-launched enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP)
technology, which expands on the company’s current proprietary eVLP
technology by coding the particles in messenger RNA (mRNA). In
preclinical studies, VBI’s new mRNA-launched eVLP (MLE) technology
has demonstrated an ability to generate stronger B- and T-cell
signals than those seen with other mRNA vaccines tested. The MLE
technology also has the added benefit of streamlined and
accelerated chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) processes
and manufacturing timelines, similar to other known mRNA vaccine
production platforms.
“This innovative approach to vaccine development leverages the
strengths of both our eVLP platform and those seen in mRNA vaccine
technologies, resulting in a platform that has the potential to
produce highly potent, well-tolerated vaccines in an accelerated
timeframe,” said David E. Anderson, VBI’s Chief Scientific Officer.
“Our MLE technology uses the human body as a bioreactor to produce
complex proteins that mimic the natural viral targets, stimulating
a strong functional immune response. We are excited about the
preclinical data generated to date and the manufacturing advantages
of this technology, promising attributes which would be applied
across a broad range of preventive and therapeutic targets.”
VBI’s MLE Program Highlights:
Multiple animal studies have assessed MLE presentation of target
antigens compared to mRNA-expression alone – studies conducted
include target antigens from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr
virus (EBV), and coronaviruses
Immunologic Responses – Breadth & Potency:
- MLE presentation of multiple antigens induced up to 10-fold
higher neutralizing antibody responses vs. standard mRNA
expression
- MLE presentation of multiple antigens enhanced the induction of
polyfunctional CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses – balanced,
polyfunctional T-cells typically correlate with enhanced efficacy
in both preventive and therapeutic settings
- Breadth and quality of immune response to MLE technology expand
the potential for MLE-targeted therapies across infectious disease,
cancer, and allergic and autoimmune disease indications
Durability of Immune Response:
- Mice vaccinated with MLE-coded antigens experienced 12-fold
stronger memory recall responses compared to standard mRNA-coded
antigens alone, when challenged 7 months following
immunization
- Rapid immunologic recall responses can have clinical benefit in
the form of improved durability of protection as well as protection
against viral reactivation
Functional Engineering:
- Leveraging the flexibility of VBI’s eVLP technology, target
antigens can be expressed both internally and externally with the
potential to “tune” the desired immune response
About the mRNA-Launched eVLP (MLE) Program
Standard mRNA vaccines are transported to cells in a lipid
nanoparticle, carrying instructions in the form of genetic code
that teach the immune system to generate proteins that trigger an
immune response to a target antigen. VBI’s MLE approach adds a
structural viral protein core – the same protein at the core of
VBI’s eVLPs – to an mRNA vaccine. The addition of this protein
instructs cells not only to create target antigens, but also to
create eVLPs in vivo, which then circulate in the body, provoking
the immune system to drive potent B-cell and T-cell responses.
Detailed data are being targeted for presentation at a future
scientific conference.
About VBI Vaccines Inc.
VBI Vaccines Inc. (“VBI”) is a biopharmaceutical company driven
by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment
of disease. Through its innovative approach to virus-like particles
(“VLPs”), including a proprietary enveloped VLP (“eVLP”) platform
technology and a proprietary mRNA-launched eVLP (“MLE”) platform
technology, VBI develops vaccine candidates that mimic the natural
presentation of viruses, designed to elicit the innate power of the
human immune system. VBI is committed to targeting and overcoming
significant infectious diseases, including hepatitis B,
coronaviruses, and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as aggressive
cancers including glioblastoma (GBM). VBI is headquartered in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, with research operations in Ottawa,
Canada, and a research and manufacturing site in Rehovot,
Israel.
Website Home: http://www.vbivaccines.com/ News and Resources:
http://www.vbivaccines.com/news-and-resources/ Investors:
http://www.vbivaccines.com/investors/
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information
Certain statements in this press release that are
forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
and are forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian
securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). The
Company cautions that such forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties that may materially affect the Company’s results
of operations. Such forward-looking statements are based on the
beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to management. Actual results could
differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements as a result of certain factors, including but not
limited to, the impact of general economic, industry or political
conditions in the United States or internationally; the impact of
the COVID-19 endemic and its continuing effects on our clinical
studies, manufacturing, business plan, and the global economy; the
ability to successfully manufacture and commercialize
PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to establish that potential
products are efficacious or safe in preclinical or clinical trials;
the ability to establish or maintain collaborations on the
development of pipeline candidates and the commercialization of
PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to obtain appropriate or
necessary regulatory approvals to market potential products; the
ability to obtain future funding for developmental products and
working capital and to obtain such funding on commercially
reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to manufacture product
candidates on a commercial scale or in collaborations with third
parties; changes in the size and nature of competitors; the ability
to retain key executives and scientists; and the ability to secure
and enforce legal rights related to the Company’s products. A
discussion of these and other factors, including risks and
uncertainties with respect to the Company, is set forth in the
Company’s filings with the SEC and the Canadian securities
authorities, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the SEC on March 13, 2023, and filed with the Canadian security
authorities at sedar.com on March 13, 2023, as may be supplemented
or amended by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Given
these risks, uncertainties and factors, you are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All such
forward-looking statements made herein are based on our current
expectations and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as
required by law.
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VBI Nicole Anderson Director, Corporate Communications
& IR Phone: (617) 830-3031 x124 Email: IR@vbivaccines.com
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