Blue Water Vaccines Announces Sponsored Research Agreement Amendment to Continue Funding Universal Influenza Vaccine Development at The University of Oxford
May 31 2022 - 8:30AM
Blue Water Vaccines Inc. (“BWV” or “Blue Water Vaccines” or “the
Company”) a biopharmaceutical company developing transformational
vaccines to address significant global health
challenges
, today announced the signing of an
amendment to its existing Sponsored Research Agreement with The
University of Oxford. Under this amendment, BWV will extend funding
for research into its universal influenza vaccine candidate,
BWV-101, for an additional 18 months.
Under the original agreement signed in December 2019, BWV agreed
to fund research and development of its universal influenza vaccine
at The University of Oxford for a period of three years, ending on
December 19, 2022. The signing of this amendment, as well as
additional funding provided by BWV, will enable Oxford to continue
research and optimization of the Company’s universal influenza
vaccine candidate, BWV-101.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The University
of Oxford,” said Joseph Hernandez, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Blue Water Vaccines. “In addition to the original work
on H1 epitopes of limited variability, the team at Oxford recently
found epitopes of limited variability for H3 and influenza B. This
work brings us one step closer to a truly universal influenza
vaccine, and we look forward to reaching that milestone with our
partners at Oxford.”
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than
1 billion influenza infections each year, 3 – 5 million of which
are considered severe, leading to between 290,000 – 650,000 related
respiratory deaths worldwide. Current influenza vaccines have
several shortcomings, including yearly reformulations 6 months
prior to influenza season leading to yearly administration and
typically provide protection to only 50% of the individuals that
receive the vaccine. Additionally, the CDC estimates about $87.1
billion USD is lost through absenteeism and healthcare costs in the
US and the WHO estimates around $4 billion US is spent on the flu
vaccine each year. Both the clinical toll of this disease and the
economic burden it poses warrants investigation and commitment to
the development of a universal influenza vaccine.
About The University of Oxford
Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher
Education World University Rankings for the sixth year running, and
2 in the QS World Rankings 2022. At the heart of this success is
our ground-breaking research and innovation. Oxford is world-famous
for research excellence and home to some of the most talented
people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions,
solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships
and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our
research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.
Through its research commercialization arm, Oxford University
Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK
and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having
created more than 200 new companies since 1988. Over a third of
these companies have been created in the past three years. The
university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the
United Kingdom, contributing £15.7 billion to the UK economy in
2018/19, and supports more than 28,000 full time jobs.
About Blue Water Vaccines
Blue Water Vaccines Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on developing transformational vaccines to address significant
health challenges globally. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, the
company holds the rights to proprietary technology developed at the
University of Oxford, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
(CCHMC), and St. Jude Children's Hospital. The company is
developing a universal flu vaccine that will provide protection
from all virulent strains in addition to licensing a novel
norovirus (NoV) S&P nanoparticle versatile virus-like particle
(VLP) vaccine platform from CCHMC to develop vaccines for multiple
infectious diseases, including norovirus/rotavirus and malaria,
among others. Additionally, Blue Water Vaccines is developing a
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) vaccine candidate, designed
to specifically prevent the highly infectious middle ear
infections, known as Acute Otitis Media (AOM), in children. For
more information, visit www.bluewatervaccines.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,”
“estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These
forward-looking statements are based on BWV’s current expectations
and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of
factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, risks related to the development
of BWV’s vaccine candidates, including, but not limited to BWV-301;
the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance
with FDA regulations; delays and uncertainties caused by the global
COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to the timing and progress of
clinical development of our product candidates; our need for
additional financing; uncertainties of patent protection and
litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payor
reimbursement; limited research and development efforts and
dependence upon third parties; and substantial competition. As with
any vaccine under development, there are significant risks in the
development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new
products. BWV does not undertake an obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk
factors set forth in BWV’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2022, and periodic
reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of
BWV’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all
such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information
set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
Media Contact Information:Media
Relations513-620-4101Email: media@bluewatervaccines.com
Blue Water Biotech (NASDAQ:BWV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Blue Water Biotech (NASDAQ:BWV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024