The collaboration aims to design a carbohydrate-based vaccine, using the DepoVax formulation, that can produce antibody levels specific to the carbohydrate target and capable of neutralizing meningococci.
The research is also expected to assess the ability of the carbohydrate-based vaccine candidate to kill cancer cells.
Under the pact, Immunovaccine’s DepoVax vaccine delivery and enhancement technology will formulate the carbohydrate antigen into liposomes and then in oil.
Immunovaccine R&D vice president Marc Mansour said that this modified carbohydrate is unique because of its potential utility as an antigen for both a bacterial vaccine and a therapeutic cancer vaccine.
"This is the first time we are incorporating a carbohydrate antigen into our DepoVax platform to further demonstrate its flexibility and versatility," Mansour said.