Pharma news

 ImmunoVaccine Technologies’ (IVT)
patented depot vaccine formulation, DepoVax(TM) is showing positive
pre-clinical results, with single-dose efficacy achieved in therapeutic
cancer and several infectious disease vaccine models. The results of this
research will be presented October 4th at the Ehrlich II conference in
Germany. Collaborators from the University of Miami will also be reporting
on the capabilities of IVT’s depot formulations for delivery of DNA and
SiRNA in vivo.

DepoVax(TM) provides a unique single-dose capability, and is based on a
novel approach to the use of liposomes, which encapsulate a target antigen
and adjuvant. The vaccine formulation also relies on a hydrophobic oil
carrier. The result is a depot effect that significantly enhances vaccine
induced cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

The efficacy of a single dose of a DepoVax(TM) formulation was shown
using a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) associated cervical cancer model. In
the therapeutic C3 tumor challenge model, DepoVax(TM) eliminated 100% of
established cancerous tumors after a single dose. In contrast, tumors
remained intact when treated with a placebo vaccine. The effect of the
vaccine is linked to the activation of a potent and specific cellular
immune response.

“We have developed depot vaccine formulations that can induce a more
effective immune response than other vaccination strategies used in the
clinic today,” said Dr. Marc Mansour, vice president of R&D at IVT. “We
look forward to testing our therapeutic cancer formulations in the clinic
this coming year.”

For the humoral response, a recombinant H5 antigen was used. IVT
immunized models once with the DepoVax(TM) vaccine formulation, and once or
twice with a control alum-based vaccine for avian influenza. At all time
points tested, as early as 18 days and for at least 20 weeks, antibody
titers induced by the depot vaccine were 10-15 times higher than a single
dose of the control alum vaccine. The vaccine induced quick and strong
specific immunity against the avian influenza antigen. In the longer term,
the antibody responses generated were superior or equal to the two-dose
alum vaccine.

“Typically, vaccines need booster shots to be effective, which is not
an option in a pandemic situation,” said Mansour. “Our depot vaccine
formulation makes a single-dose pandemic flu vaccine a strong possibility.”

IVT’s strategy is multi-targeted; the company is exploring pandemic and
seasonal influenza, as well as Hepatitis B. In addition, IVT is designing
HLA-A2 peptide-based therapeutic depot vaccines for breast, ovarian and
prostate cancers. By using tumor-specific peptides, IVT’s depot vaccines
induce a potent cellular response that destroys 100% of the tumors,
indicating a promising immunotherapy for cancer.

About IVT

ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc., winner of Canada’s Top 10 Life
Sciences Companies, is a private, clinical-stage, vaccine development
company. Through its own biotech research, patented VacciMax(R) and
DepoVax(TM) technologies, and collaborations with partners, IVT creates
vaccines with the potential to help save and improve lives around the
world. In January 2008, IVT licensed its technology to Pfizer Animal
health, marking a pivotal step in achieving its vision of delivering
breakthrough vaccines. http://www.immunovaccine.com

ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc.
http://www.immunovaccine.com

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