Emergex Signs an R&D Agreement with IMCB to Develop a Vaccine for the Emerging Threat of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

• Agreement targets the development of a cross-reactive vaccine to protect against the most virulent enteroviruses, including enterovirus 71 (EV71)
• EV71 was responsible for recent outbreaks in Asia, resulting in a large number of infant deaths

Oxford, UK – 27 June 2019 – Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited (‘Emergex’), a biotechnology company pioneering a new approach to synthetic vaccine development in the field of infectious diseases, today announced that it has signed an R&D agreement with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) in Singapore to develop a fully synthetic vaccine against human viruses that cause Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). Emergex and IMCB will collaborate closely to develop the new vaccine, combining their personnel, specialist knowledge and expertise.

IMCB is a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore’s lead government agency spearheading mission-oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry and, through collaboration, brings science and technology to benefit the economy and society.

Storme Moore-Thornicroft, Co-Founder and COO of Emergex, commented: “We are looking forward to collaborating with IMCB on this important indication. Our novel approach to vaccine development provides a practical and efficient solution to prevent disease. Compared to traditional methods, our technology enables development in a shorter time and at a fraction of the cost. Our vaccines also benefit from microneedle skin patch technology, improving vaccine administration and uptake. Our vaccines are 100% synthetic so do not require refrigeration, enabling easier transportation – especially important in infrastructurally-challenged parts of the world.”

The research collaboration is led by Associate Professor Justin Chu, Joint Principal Investigator at IMCB, whose research interests are in positive-strand RNA viruses and vaccine development.

Prof Hong Wanjin, Executive Director of IMCB, commented: “Over recent years, the virulence of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease has increased substantially and resulted in a number of infant deaths. An urgent need therefore exists to develop an effective vaccine that can provide a practical solution and protect those most at risk.”

As part of the agreement, Emergex will use its technological expertise to help develop a cross reactive vaccine against the most common enteroviruses known to cause HFMD, including coxsackieviruses and enterovirus 71 (EV71) which will be tested in murine models at IMCB.

HFMD is most common in children under the age of 5. It starts with a fever, sore throat and reduced appetite and leads to painful sores on the hands, feet, and in the mouth. While it usually resolves spontaneously, infection with some enteroviruses such as EV71 can induce diverse neurological complications including brainstem encephalitis. This can cause neurogenic pulmonary hemorrhage/edema and lead to death.

Several large outbreaks of HFMD caused by EV71 have occurred in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997. In 1998, a major epidemic of EV71 in Taiwan caused 1.5 million infections, 405 with severe neurological complications, and 78 child deaths. More than 7 million HFMD cases and 2,457 deaths were reported in China during EV71 epidemics between 2008 and 2012. Recently, EV71 epidemics have been reported in the USA and Europe including the Netherlands, France, Norway, the UK, Hungary, and Greece.

– Ends –

Notes To Editors

About Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited

Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited (“Emergex”), a UK-based biotechnology company headquartered in Oxford, is pioneering a new approach to vaccine development in order to address some of the world’s most immediate health threats including Flaviviruses, such as Dengue Fever and Zika, as well as Filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses, and seasonal and pandemic influenza.

The Company has developed a novel and ground-breaking approach to vaccine manufacturing. It utilises 100% synthetic components that have been validated in previous research, to activate T-cells of the immune system to destroy infected human cells. It uses unique technologies, together with scientific insights to develop and manufacture vaccines at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional vaccines. These are administered using a skin patch technology which is practical to administer and suited for regions that are infrastructurally-challenged as well as for more advanced regions of the world.

Emergex is initially focussed on creating an internationally accessible, clinical grade vaccine repository for use by governments, non-governmental organisations and charities, to act as a first line of defence against existing and newly emerging infectious outbreaks.

Emergex is committed to making a positive impact in the communities that are most affected by these infectious outbreaks, where a lack of affordable and effective treatments adversely impacts health and prosperity. Emergex is a member of the Social Stock Exchange in London, the world’s first regulated exchange dedicated to businesses and investors seeking to achieve a positive social and environmental impact through their activities.

Find out more online at www.emergexvaccines.com and connect with us via Twitter @EmergexVaccines.

Media Contacts:

Instinctif Partners Sue Charles / Ashley Tapp / Genevieve Wilson Phone: +44 (0)20 7457 2020 Email: Emergex@instinctif.com