Vaxart Enters into Research Collaboration with Janssen to Evaluate Oral Universal Influenza Vaccine
July 09 2019 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Oral Universal Flu Vaccine Candidate to be
Evaluated in Pre-Clinical Challenge Model
Vaxart, Inc., (Vaxart), a clinical stage biotechnology company
developing oral recombinant vaccines that are administered by
tablet rather than by injection, today announced that it has
entered into a research collaboration agreement with Janssen
Vaccines & Prevention B.V. (Janssen) to evaluate Vaxart’s
proprietary oral vaccine platform for the Janssen universal
influenza vaccine program.
Under the agreement Vaxart will produce an oral vaccine
containing certain proprietary antigens from Janssen, and test the
product in a pre-clinical challenge model. Upon completion of the
study Janssen will have an exclusive option to negotiate an
exclusive worldwide license to the Vaxart technology encompassing
the Janssen antigens.
“Development of a universal flu vaccine is a high priority
public health objective and we are delighted to be working with
Janssen in this important field,” said Wouter Latour, M.D., chief
executive officer of Vaxart. “As reported previously, Vaxart’s oral
H1 seasonal influenza vaccine appears to protect primarily through
mucosal immunity, the first line of defense against respiratory
infections like flu and a potential key feature of a universal flu
vaccine. In addition, we have the benefit of a convenient room
temperature-stable tablet which may improve vaccination rates.”
About Influenza
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza
viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. It
can cause mild to severe illness, and at times, can lead to death.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each
year. While the impact of flu varies, it places a substantial
burden on the health of people in the United States. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that
influenza has resulted in between 9.2 million and 60.8 million
illnesses, between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between
12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually since 2010. For further
information on influenza, its burden on human health and vaccine
development, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/.
About Vaxart
Vaxart is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on
developing oral recombinant protein vaccines based on its
proprietary oral vaccine platform. Vaxart’s vaccines are designed
to generate broad and durable immune responses that protect against
a wide range of infectious diseases and may also be useful for the
treatment of chronic viral infections and cancer. Vaxart’s vaccines
are administered using a convenient room temperature-stable tablet,
rather than by injection. Vaxart believes that tablet vaccines are
easier to distribute and administer than injectable vaccines and
have the potential to significantly increase vaccination rates.
Vaxart’s development programs include oral tablet vaccines that are
designed to protect against norovirus, seasonal influenza and
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as a therapeutic vaccine
for human papillomavirus (HPV).
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other
than statements of historical facts, included in this press release
regarding our strategy, prospects, plans and objectives, results
from preclinical and clinical trials, commercialization agreements
and licenses, beliefs and expectations of management are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be
accompanied by such words as “believe,” “could,” “potential,”
“will” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Examples of
such statements include, but are not limited to, statements
relating to the Vaxart’s ability to develop and commercialize its
product candidates and clinical results and trial data; Vaxart’s
expectations with respect to the Janssen relationship; and Vaxart’s
expectations with respect to the important advantages it believes
its oral vaccine platform can offer over injectable alternatives,
particularly for mucosal pathogens such as norovirus, flu and RSV.
Vaxart may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions
or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in our
forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could
differ materially from the plans, intentions, expectations and
projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Various
important factors could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements that Vaxart makes,
that Vaxart’s product candidates may not be approved by the FDA or
non-U.S. regulatory authorities; that, even if approved by the FDA
or non-U.S. regulatory authorities, Vaxart’s product candidates may
not achieve broad market acceptance; that Vaxart may experience
manufacturing issues and delays; and other risks described in the
“Risk Factors” sections of Vaxart’s Quarterly and Annual Reports
filed with the SEC. Vaxart does not assume any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190709005100/en/
Daniella Funaro Stern Investor Relations 212-362-1200
vaxart@sternir.com
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