Advertise With UsAdvertise on our extensive network of industry websites and newsletters.
Get the PBR newsletterSign up to our free email to get all the latest PBR
news.Biopharmaceutical company GenVec has reported encouraging data from malaria vaccine studies using its adenovector technologies. The data showed the vaccine to be well-tolerated and inducing strong T-cell responses against the target antigens in all volunteers.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
The data was taken from the first cohort of volunteers in a phase I/II clinical trial sponsored by the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) and the US Military Malaria Vaccine Program. The results were presented by scientists from NMRC. This vaccine, produced using GenVec’s proprietary 293-ORF6 cell line and associated manufacturing process, is designed to provide protection against both the liver and blood stages of the parasite.
NMRC is now enrolling volunteers to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a higher dose of the vaccine. After establishing that the vaccine is safe and well tolerated at the optimal dose, the next phase will evaluate the protective effects of the vaccine after malaria challenge. The ability to safely challenge human volunteers provides a unique opportunity to assess efficacy of candidate vaccines prior to field trials.
Joseph Bruder, director of vector and vaccine programs, said: “The results from these studies are encouraging and support the use of our adenovector technologies in developing effective malaria vaccines. We are excited by the progress of our collaborations and the potential for these programs to advance into later-stage clinical trials.”