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2023-10-26
2023-10-26
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UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 26, 2023
VBI
VACCINES INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British
Columbia, Canada |
|
001-37769 |
|
N/A |
(State
or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation) |
|
(Commission
File
Number) |
|
(IRS
Employer
Identification
No.) |
160
Second Street, Floor 3
Cambridge,
Massachusetts |
|
02142 |
(Address
of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip
Code) |
(617)
830-3031
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former
Name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under
any of the following provisions:
☐ |
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
|
|
☐ |
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
|
|
☐ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
|
|
☐ |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4© under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4©) |
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class |
|
Trading
Symbol(s) |
|
Name
of exchange on which registered |
Common
Shares, no par value per share |
|
VBIV |
|
The
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405
of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging
growth company ☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item
7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On
October 26, 2023, VBI Vaccines Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the development of its next-generation
mRNA-launched enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) technology, which expands on the Company’s current proprietary eVLP technology
by coding the particles in messenger RNA (mRNA). The Company undertakes no obligation to update, supplement or amend the materials attached
hereto.
The
information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and
shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general
incorporation language in such filing.
Item
9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
|
VBI
Vaccines Inc. |
|
|
|
Date:
October 26, 2023 |
By:
|
/s/
Jeffrey R. Baxter |
|
|
Jeffrey
R. Baxter |
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit
99.1
VBI
Vaccines Expands Proprietary Technology Platforms With Development of a Novel mRNA-Launched eVLP Vaccine Program
| ● | Preclinical
data suggests novel mRNA-launched eVLPs (“MLE”) generate significantly enhanced
B-cell and T-cell responses compared to mRNA-expression of antigens alone |
| ● | In
addition to immunologic benefits, new MLE technology enables manufacturing of particulate
vaccines on an accelerated timeline, similar to other mRNA manufacturing timelines |
| ● | Based
on encouraging data seen to date, MLE proprietary technology is under evaluation by multiple
potential partners, including by both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies |
| ● | Detailed
preclinical data are also being targeted for presentation at a future scientific conference |
CAMBRIDGE,
Mass. (October 26, 2023) – VBI Vaccines Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIV) (VBI), a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the
pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment of disease, today announced the development of its next-generation mRNA-launched enveloped
virus-like particle (eVLP) technology, which expands on the company’s current proprietary eVLP technology by coding the particles
in messenger RNA (mRNA). In preclinical studies, VBI’s new mRNA-launched eVLP (MLE) technology has demonstrated an ability to generate
stronger B- and T-cell signals than those seen with other mRNA vaccines tested. The MLE technology also has the added benefit of streamlined
and accelerated chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) processes and manufacturing timelines, similar to other known mRNA vaccine
production platforms.
“This
innovative approach to vaccine development leverages the strengths of both our eVLP platform and those seen in mRNA vaccine technologies,
resulting in a platform that has the potential to produce highly potent, well-tolerated vaccines in an accelerated timeframe,”
said David E. Anderson, VBI’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Our MLE technology uses the human body as a bioreactor to produce
complex proteins that mimic the natural viral targets, stimulating a strong functional immune response. We are excited about the preclinical
data generated to date and the manufacturing advantages of this technology, promising attributes which would be applied across a broad
range of preventive and therapeutic targets.”
VBI’s
MLE Program Highlights:
Multiple
animal studies have assessed MLE presentation of target antigens compared to mRNA-expression alone – studies conducted include
target antigens from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and coronaviruses
Immunologic
Responses – Breadth & Potency:
| ● | MLE
presentation of multiple antigens induced up to 10-fold higher neutralizing antibody responses
vs. standard mRNA expression |
| ● | MLE
presentation of multiple antigens enhanced the induction of polyfunctional CD4 and CD8 T-cell
responses – balanced, polyfunctional T-cells typically correlate with enhanced efficacy
in both preventive and therapeutic settings |
| ● | Breadth
and quality of immune response to MLE technology expand the potential for MLE-targeted therapies
across infectious disease, cancer, and allergic and autoimmune disease indications |
Durability
of Immune Response:
| ● | Mice
vaccinated with MLE-coded antigens experienced 12-fold stronger memory recall responses compared
to standard mRNA-coded antigens alone, when challenged 7 months following immunization |
| ● | Rapid
immunologic recall responses can have clinical benefit in the form of improved durability
of protection as well as protection against viral reactivation |
Functional
Engineering:
| ● | Leveraging
the flexibility of VBI’s eVLP technology, target antigens can be expressed both internally
and externally with the potential to “tune” the desired immune response |
About
the mRNA-Launched eVLP (MLE) Program
Standard
mRNA vaccines are transported to cells in a lipid nanoparticle, carrying instructions in the form of genetic code that teach the immune
system to generate proteins that trigger an immune response to a target antigen. VBI’s MLE approach adds a structural viral protein
core – the same protein at the core of VBI’s eVLPs – to an mRNA vaccine. The addition of this protein instructs cells
not only to create target antigens, but also to create eVLPs in vivo, which then circulate in the body, provoking the immune system
to drive potent B-cell and T-cell responses.
Detailed
data are being targeted for presentation at a future scientific conference.
About
VBI Vaccines Inc.
VBI
Vaccines Inc. (“VBI”) is a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment
of disease. Through its innovative approach to virus-like particles (“VLPs”), including a proprietary enveloped VLP (“eVLP”)
platform technology and a proprietary mRNA-launched eVLP (“MLE”) platform technology, VBI develops vaccine candidates that
mimic the natural presentation of viruses, designed to elicit the innate power of the human immune system. VBI is committed to targeting
and overcoming significant infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, coronaviruses, and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as aggressive
cancers including glioblastoma (GBM). VBI is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with research operations in Ottawa, Canada, and
a research and manufacturing site in Rehovot, Israel.
Website
Home: http://www.vbivaccines.com/
News
and Resources: http://www.vbivaccines.com/news-and-resources/
Investors:
http://www.vbivaccines.com/investors/
Cautionary
Statement on Forward-looking Information
Certain
statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are forward-looking information
within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). The Company cautions that such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may materially affect the Company’s results of operations. Such
forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available
to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain
factors, including but not limited to, the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally;
the impact of the COVID-19 endemic and its continuing effects on our clinical studies, manufacturing, business plan, and the global economy;
the ability to successfully manufacture and commercialize PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to establish that potential products are
efficacious or safe in preclinical or clinical trials; the ability to establish or maintain collaborations on the development of pipeline
candidates and the commercialization of PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to obtain appropriate or necessary regulatory approvals to
market potential products; the ability to obtain future funding for developmental products and working capital and to obtain such funding
on commercially reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to manufacture product candidates on a commercial scale or in collaborations
with third parties; changes in the size and nature of competitors; the ability to retain key executives and scientists; and the ability
to secure and enforce legal rights related to the Company’s products. A discussion of these and other factors, including risks
and uncertainties with respect to the Company, is set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the Canadian securities authorities,
including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2023, and filed with the Canadian security authorities at sedar.com
on March 13, 2023, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Given these risks, uncertainties
and factors, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement. All such forward-looking statements made herein are based on our current expectations and we undertake
no duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
VBI
Contact
Nicole
Anderson
Director,
Corporate Communications & IR
Phone:
(617) 830-3031 x124
Email:
IR@vbivaccines.com
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