More specifically, VGX will design and test DNA vaccine candidates using target antigens from Plasmodium species and deliver them intradermally using the Cellectra constant current electroporation device. The collaboration brings together vaccine development and malaria experts from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and VGX.
VGX is developing the Cellectra electroporation device to deliver a number of DNA vaccine and therapeutic candidates via both intradermal and intramuscular routes. Several VGX DNA vaccine candidates including Pennvax-B as a preventative and therapeutic vaccine for HIV infection and VGX-3100 as a therapeutic vaccine for cervical cancer, are in Phase I clinical testing, said VGX.
Joseph Kim, president and CEO of VGX, said: “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with the Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative to apply our promising SynCon DNA vaccine development platform to malaria. Malaria remains a challenging and tremendously important area of medical research, and we value Malaria Vaccine Initiative’s support to explore development of a novel preventive vaccine candidate.”