IMV

Immunovaccine Inc. ("Immunovaccine") (TSX VENTURE:IMV) and Pfenex Inc.
("Pfenex") today announced positive results from anthrax challenge studies in
rabbits using Pfenex's mutant recombinant Protective Antigen (mrPA) formulated
with Immunovaccine's DepoVax(TM) delivery system. The studies showed that
animals administered a vaccine containing mrPA formulated in DepoVax were
protected against a lethal anthrax challenge at a range of antigen doses. 


DepoVax containing between 0.1 and 9 micrograms of mrPA was tested as a single
dose in rabbits to determine the level of neutralizing antibodies produced by
the vaccine and its ability to protect against a lethal dose of the anthrax
causing bacteria (B. anthracis). All animals vaccinated with a single dose of
mrPA - DepoVax containing as little as one third of a microgram of antigen were
protected from anthrax infection. Four out of five animals vaccinated with mrPA
- DepoVax containing one tenth of a microgram of antigen were also protected. 


A dose response was observed in the first 28 days following vaccination with
higher amounts of mrPA formulated in DepoVax producing higher levels of
neutralizing antibodies during this period. In rabbits immunized with a DepoVax
vaccine, antibody titers generally plateaued within 28 days and persisted until
at least day 70 when animals were exposed to the disease agent. The neutralizing
titers measured on day 28 suggest that animals may be protected within one month
of a single immunization. 


Further studies will be designed to continue to evaluate the potential of
DepoVax-based vaccines to offer rapid protection with a single dose. 


"The positive data from this latest study highlight the potential for the
DepoVax platform to enable rapid response vaccines to combat bioterrorism,"
stated Dr. Marc Mansour, chief operating officer of Immunovaccine. "The ability
to decrease the antigen content and still produce lasting protective antibody
titers that protect from anthrax challenge following one vaccination potentially
demonstrates the immune enhancing characteristics of DepoVax."


"Pfenex is excited to be collaborating with Immunovaccine in pursuit of a
stable, fast acting, dose sparing and antigen sparing vaccine candidate that
will meet the needs of the US Federal Government," stated Dr. Bert Liang, chief
executive officer of Pfenex. 


Previously reported rabbit and non-human primate studies suggested that DepoVax
may enable a single dose rPA anthrax vaccine. It is now confirmed that a single
dose of mrPA formulated in DepoVax is protective in the rabbit model. These
studies, conducted under the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases' (NIAID's) preclinical services program
(HHSN272201000022I/HHSN27200001), are intended to evaluate Immunovaccine's
DepoVax adjuvanting technology and advance the development of next generation
bio-defense vaccines.


About DepoVax(TM)

DepoVax(TM) is a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged
exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune system, resulting in a strong,
specific and sustained immune response with the capability for single-dose
effectiveness. The DepoVax platform possesses impressive flexibility, allowing
it to work with a broad range of target antigens in various therapeutic
applications. The technology is also commercially scalable, with potential for
years of stability and ease of use in the clinic.


About Pfenex mrPA

Through the use of its proprietary protein production platform technology,
Pfenex Expression Technology(TM), Pfenex's mrPA is produced by using a
phenotypically unique protease-deficient strain of P. fluorescens expressing a
B. anthracis protective antigen variant lacking specific protease cleavage
sites. Those protease cleavage sites have previously been implicated in
stability issues associated with the antigen. The combination of the proprietary
production strain and rPA variant has resulted in a robust scalable production
process capable of producing a stable antigen. The development of the Pfenex
mrPA product is currently being funded by Pfenex's prime contract
(HHS0100201000045C) with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
Authority (BARDA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness
and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


About Immunovaccine

Immunovaccine Inc. develops cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease
vaccines based on the Company's DepoVax(TM) platform, a patented formulation
that provides controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens and adjuvant to the
immune system. Immunovaccine has advanced two T cell activation therapies for
cancer through Phase I human clinical trials. Lead cancer vaccine therapy,
DPX-Survivac, is expected to enter Phase II clinical studies in both ovarian
cancer and glioblastoma (brain cancer). The Company is also advancing an
infectious disease pipeline including innovative vaccines for respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) and anthrax. 


Connect at www.imvaccine.com

About Pfenex Inc. 

Pfenex Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing biosimilars and
innovative vaccines to address unmet and growing global healthcare needs.
Utilizing the company's core technology, Pfenex Expression Technology(TM) for
recombinant protein expression, Pfenex is able to rapidly develop and produce
high quality biopharmaceuticals. In addition, Pfenex also produces and markets
research proteins and reagent proteins for the research and drug development
community through its Reagent Proteins division. For more information please
visit www.pfenex.com.


This press release contains forward-looking information under applicable
securities law. All information that addresses activities or developments that
we expect to occur in the future, is forward-looking information.
Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management
on the date the statements are made. However, they should not be regarded as a
representation that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ
materially from those set forth in this press release due to risks affecting the
company, including access to capital, the successful completion of clinical
trials and receipt of all regulatory approvals. Immunovaccine Inc. assumes no
responsibility to update forward-looking statements in this press release except
as required by law. 


Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term
is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Immunovaccine Inc.
Marc Mansour
Chief Operating Officer
(902) 492-1819
mmansour@imvaccine.com


Vida Strategic Partners (media)
Tim Brons
(415) 675-7402
tbrons@vidasp.com


Pfenex Inc.
Cassidy Brady
Sr. Marketing Manager
(858) 344-7207
cbrady@pfenex.com

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