The candidate was also shown to produce both antibody and T-cell Ebola-specific responses in all healthy volunteers who received the full three doses of vaccine.
The phase I, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study, the first human trial for any Ebola vaccine, was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and conducted at the NIH Clinical Center. The data were presented at the American Society for Microbiology 2006 biodefense research meeting in Washington, DC.
The DNA vaccine used in the phase I trial incorporates genetic material encoding core and surface proteins from two strains of Ebola. Vical has secured a nonexclusive license from the NIH to proprietary gene sequences used in the vaccine.
“The high rates of immune responses at all dose levels in this initial human Ebola vaccine study support continued development of this vaccine and further evaluation of our technology for potential additional biodefense and emerging disease applications,” said Dr David Kaslow, Vical’s chief scientific officer.