GeoVax Secures Multi-Product License for ProBioGen's AGE1.CR.pIX® Suspension Cell Line to Bolster MVA-Based Vaccine Development
September 26 2023 - 09:00AM
via NewMediaWire – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a
biotechnology company developing vaccines and immunotherapies
against infectious diseases and cancers, and ProBioGen announce the
signing of a landmark commercial license agreement for ProBioGen's
groundbreaking AGE1.CR.pIX® suspension cell line. The agreement
will empower GeoVax to enhance the manufacturing capabilities of
its entire Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) based vaccine portfolio.
ProBioGen's AGE1.CR.pIX suspension cell line is an innovative
and proven platform that enables high-yield and scalable
production, ensuring efficient industrial manufacturing processes.
This translates to cost-effectiveness and increased productivity
for vaccine developers. The AGE1.CR.pIX cell line's versatility
allows it to support a wide range of viruses and vaccine types,
enhancing its suitability for various vaccines in development and
as a replacement for traditional production systems.
Additionally, AGE1.CR.pIX's robust growth and genetic stability
ensure consistent and reliable production, leading to the delivery
of safe and effective vaccines. MVA grows particularly well on this
cell line, making it even more advantageous for vaccine
development. By leveraging this modern production technology,
GeoVax aims to accelerate the manufacturing of its entire vaccine
pipeline. This multi-product license represents a strong commitment
to improving global access to life-saving vaccines.
"We are thrilled to enter into this licensing agreement with
ProBioGen,” said David Dodd, Chairman & CEO of GeoVax. "The
AGE1.CR.pIX suspension Cell Line is a game-changer for our vaccine
production, allowing us to streamline our manufacturing processes
while maintaining the highest quality standards. Development of a
high-yield, high-capacity process to produce MVA-based vaccines and
immunotherapies is nothing short of transformational, and by
advancing our MVA manufacturing to a modern, interchangeable
process, we are on course to expand MVA applications from
stockpile-based solutions for niche medical markets to respond to
world needs on a timely basis, whenever and wherever they arise.
This partnership with ProBioGen aligns perfectly with GeoVax's
mission of developing safe and effective vaccines to protect public
health."
"ProBioGen is equally excited about the collaboration,
recognizing the potential impact of their technology on global
health. GeoVax, as one of the key MVA companies, will strengthen
its innovative vaccines with the benefit of a straightforward
manufacturing solution,” said Dr. Volker Sandig, CSO of ProBioGen.
"We believe this partnership will significantly contribute to
GeoVax's ability to accelerate vaccine production and distribution,
ultimately benefiting communities worldwide."
Financial terms of the commercial license to use the
AGE1.CR.pIX, including potential clinical milestones and future
royalties were not disclosed.
About ProBioGen
ProBioGen is a premiere, Berlin-based specialist for developing
and manufacturing biopharmaceutical active ingredients, viral
vectors and vaccines with applying proprietary technologies to
improve product quality and features. Combining both
state-of-the-art development services, together with intelligent
product-specific technologies yields biologics with optimized
properties. Rapid and integrated cell line and process development,
comprehensive analytical development and GMP-compliant
manufacturing is performed by a highly skilled and experienced
team. All services and technologies are embedded in a total quality
management system to assure compliance with international ISO and
GMP standards (EMA/FDA).
ProBioGen has been operational for almost 30 years. At three
locations in Berlin, over 300 employees contribute to the creation
of new therapies in medicine and groundbreaking innovations
worldwide through their creative and meticulous work. ProBioGen's
growth strategy is driven by the expansion of the service value
chain through organic growth and potential acquisition.
Diversification is a complement driver, while the focus is strict
on enabling the development of biopharmaceuticals for tomorrow.
ProBioGen’s AGE1.CR.pIX cell line is derived from primary cells
of a duck embryo and was designed to comply with health authority
guidelines and the concept of "defined risk". It was developed as
an alternative to the use of chicken eggs for large-scale vaccine
production. The AGE1.CR.pIX cell line grows in true suspension and
has been optimized for viral vaccine production and stability. It
grows in a commercially available, chemically defined medium
without animal components and is an excellent host for a variety of
different virus strains.
For more information about ProBioGen, follow us on LinkedIn.
About GeoVax
GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company
developing novel therapies and vaccines for solid tumor cancers and
many of the world’s most threatening infectious diseases. The
company’s lead program in oncology is a novel oncolytic solid tumor
gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin®, presently in a multicenter Phase
1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. GeoVax’s
lead infectious disease candidate is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation
COVID-19 vaccine targeting high-risk immunocompromised patient
populations. Currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials, GEO-CM04S1
is being evaluated as a primary vaccine for immunocompromised
patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other
patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19
vaccines are insufficient, and as a booster vaccine in patients
with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In addition, GEO-CM04S1 is
in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the vaccine as a more
robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who
previously received the mRNA vaccines. GeoVax has a leadership team
who have driven significant value creation across multiple life
science companies over the past several decades.
GeoVax Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding
GeoVax’s business plans. The words “believe,” “look forward to,”
“may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,”
“plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,”
“expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based
these forward-looking statements largely on our current
expectations and projections about future events and financial
trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results
of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual
results may differ materially from those included in these
statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax
is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future
clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax’s
immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the
desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used
effectively, GeoVax’s viral vector technology adequately amplifies
immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and
manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines
with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s
immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for
human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent targeted
infections in humans, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and
preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary
to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to
complete development, there is development of competitive products
that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products,
GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and
distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has
no control.
Further information on our risk factors is contained in our
periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and
will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us
herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or
events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge
from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of
them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by
law.
ProBioGen Contact: |
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ProBioGen Press Contact: |
Dr. Gabriele Schneider |
Lisa
Petereit |
Chief Business Officer |
Corporate
Communications |
cdmo@probiogen.de |
press@probiogen.de |
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GeoVax Contact: |
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GeoVax Press Contact: |
info@geovax.com |
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Susan
Roberts |
678-384-7220 |
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sr@roberts-communications.com |
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202-779-0929 |
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