Emergex Progresses its Synthetic Vaccine Development Pipeline
- Pioneering a simple, inexpensive and fast approach to vaccine development using 100% synthetic vaccine constructs to provide long-lasting cellular immunity against infections
- Lead vaccine candidates have been identified for our universal Flavivirus (Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever), universal Filovirus (Ebola) and Pandemic/universal Influenza virus programmes
- Dengue, Ebola and Zika vaccines are all approaching clinical development, with Phase I trials due to start in Q1 2019
Oxford, UK, 26 March 2018 – Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited (“Emergex”), a private biotechnology company pioneering a new approach to vaccine development in the field of infectious diseases, today provides an update on its vaccine development pipeline and business.
Emergex was established in January 2016 with the primary focus of developing 100% synthetic vaccines, designed to elicit a cytotoxic T-cell response and long lasting immunity against existing and emerging viral and bacterial infections.
Professor Thomas Rademacher, co-founder, CEO and CSO at Emergex commented, “Vaccine development has historically been perceived as a timely, costly and difficult process which often has produced disappointing results. Our unique technologies enable us to create vaccines in a timely manner, utilizing a very simple synthesis process that results in vaccines that are a fraction of the price of conventional vaccines. We believe that these vaccines could make a difference to people afflicted by some of the most serious infectious diseases in the world today. We have completed some important milestones for our lead vaccine candidates in each of the viral families that will lead to clinical validation early next year.”
Pipeline Update
Emergex’s vaccines combine synthetic peptide constructs representing highly conserved components of a virus family with a gold nanoparticle carrier system. Immunogenic peptide-gold nanoparticles that elicit the strongest cell-mediated immune response are reverse-engineered to work in disparate genetic populations following identification and selection using post-infectious blood assays. The final vaccine constructs are designed to elicit a cytotoxic T cell immune response similar to that which would occur naturally in individuals of any Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)* type who were exposed and then successfully recovered from an infection.
During 2017 and early 2018 vaccine constructs for Emergex’s Flavivirus, Filovirus and Influenza virus development programmes were successfully synthesized using exclusively licensed technology.
Emergex has specifically designed and developed to cGMP-like quality the fundamental gold nanoparticle that will act as the standard core for all of its vaccines. This particle has the advantage of strong inherent immunogenicity and is easy to synthesise on its own and as a component in peptide-based vaccine constructs. The particle has entered toxicology testing with results due towards the end of the year.
Emergex’s lead development programme is a strain cross reactive Dengue (Flavivirus) vaccine candidate incorporating peptides that also target other Flaviviruses such as Zika and Yellow Fever. A single Flavivirus indication will initially be tested through to Phase I and will set the regulatory pathway standard. A Phase I clinical trial is expected to commence early next year.
The Company also has programmes in parallel development for a universal Filovirus vaccine, to target Ebola, and for a pandemic flu vaccine.
Advantages of Emergex Vaccines
Emergex’s synthetic vaccines provide significant advantages when compared to traditional vaccines. They stimulate cell-mediated immunity, resulting in preventative and therapeutic effects and can be developed in less time and at a fraction of the cost of traditional vaccines. The vaccines are administered via a micro-needle patch to support reasonable compliance rates and in addition, stability at ambient temperatures, enabling easy shipping and convenient distribution, particularly as some developing nations are subject to poor infrastructure.
Business Update
Emergex’s technologies and capabilities have already attracted the attention of Governments, Health Authorities and Academic Institutions around the world and advanced discussions are underway in South America, Asia and Africa with the aim of addressing some of their most urgent healthcare challenges. Emergex’s vaccines will initially be marketed to Vaccine Repositories in order to be available for distribution at the time of an epidemic outbreak.
* The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system or complex is a gene complex encoding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins in humans.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
About Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited
Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited, 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 such as Zika, Ebola, pandemic flu and antibiotic resistant bacteria.
It has developed a unique approach to vaccine manufacturing, using 100% synthetic components to activate T-cells of the immune system to destroy virus-infected human cells. It uses synergistic technologies together with new insights into immune surveillance to develop and manufacture vaccines much faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional vaccines.
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. It also plans to develop commercially marketed vaccines in partnership with pharmaceutical companies to generate future licensing and royalty revenue streams.
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. It 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.
Media Contacts:
Instinctif Partners
Sue Charles / Ashley Tapp
Phone: +44 (0)20 7457 2020
Email: Emergex@instinctif.com
