MediciNova Announces that its Intranasal COVID-19 Vaccine Successfully Induced Systemic IgG and Mucosal IgA Neutralizing Anti...
September 23 2020 - 6:30AM
MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ
Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the JASDAQ Market of the Tokyo
Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced that its
intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prototype for COVID-19, using BC-PIV
technology, successfully induced systemic serum IgG and mucosal IgA
neutralizing antibodies against the S1 antigen (Ag) of SARS-CoV-2
in mice.
A mouse model study was conducted to assess systemic IgG and
mucosal IgA antibody production against S1 Ag after intranasal
vaccination with MediciNova’s BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prototype.
We confirmed a high IgA antibody titer against S1 Ag in the nasal
lavage fluid from mice given intranasal BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
We also confirmed that a high IgG antibody titer against S1 Ag was
induced in mice serum.
Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
of MediciNova, Inc., commented, "We are very encouraged that our
intranasal BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induced high titers of
systemic serum IgG and mucosal IgA neutralizing antibodies in a
mouse model study. These successful results support the scientific
and technical rationale of our intranasal vaccine in addition to
similar success with BioComo’s BC-PIV RSV vaccine prototype. We
look forward to reporting additional progress on our intranasal
COVID-19 vaccine in the near future.”
About the
BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2
Vaccine for
COVID-19
BC-PIV, an innovative non-transmissible viral vector
co-developed by BioComo and Mie University, is derived from the
recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2). It is highly
efficient in its ability to transfer multiple foreign proteins to
recipients and has a strong safety profile as no secondary
infectious virus is produced. BC-PIV is designed to display not
only the gene but also the foreign protein itself on the surface
and inside of the viral membrane. Therefore, it can carry the large
membrane proteins of viruses and signal transduction
receptors/ligand proteins on the viral surface. BC-PIV is able to
carry the proteins that require a proper three-dimensional
structure or multimeric structure while maintaining the structure.
BC-PIV elicits good immunogenicity against antigen proteins without
adjuvants. The BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prototype has been
developed to include the specific SARS-CoV-2 antigen protein in
order to express maximum antigenicity. The BC-PIV SARS-COV-2
vaccine can be developed as an intranasal vaccine in addition to an
intramuscular injection because of its high affinity to nasal and
upper respiratory tract mucosa, which is the same route of the
natural infection of SARS-CoV-2. An intranasal vaccine is expected
to induce local mucosal immunity. To date, BioComo has succeeded in
producing a recombinant Ebola virus vaccine
(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49579-y) and a
Respiratory Syncytial virus prefusion F vaccine (unpublished data)
using this BC-PIV platform technology.
About BioComo
BioComo, a biotech company founded at Mie Prefecture Japan in
May 2008, is developing cutting-edge technology platforms for
creating the novel and predominant vaccine carriers and adjuvants
to enhance immunity in collaboration with the Microbiology and
Molecular Genetics Department of Mie University. They have already
succeeded in the development of a highly efficacious and
state-of-the art vaccine carrier and novel adjuvant candidates.
Their technology will be applied to the production of the next
generation vaccines for the prevention of infections such as RS
virus, Ebola virus, Influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2. It will also
enable faster and more cost-effective production of those vaccines.
BC-PIV is the core platform technology which carries the corporate
namesake, BioComo, and the leading vaccine carrier that is derived
from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus 2 (hPIV2) vectors.
BioComo is dedicated to inventing new vaccines for both global
infection threats as well as malignant tumors.
About MediciNovaMediciNova, Inc. is a publicly
traded biopharmaceutical company founded upon acquiring and
developing novel, small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of
diseases with unmet medical needs with a primary commercial focus
on the U.S. market. MediciNova's current strategy is to focus on
BC-PIV SARS-COV-2 vaccine for COVID-19, MN-166 (ibudilast) for
neurological disorders such as progressive multiple sclerosis (MS),
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and substance dependence (e.g.,
alcohol use disorder, methamphetamine dependence, opioid
dependence) and glioblastoma, as well as prevention of acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19, and MN-001
(tipelukast) for fibrotic diseases such as nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
MediciNova’s pipeline also includes MN-221 (bedoradrine) for the
treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma and MN-029 (denibulin)
for solid tumor cancers. MediciNova is engaged in strategic
partnering and other potential funding discussions to support
further development of its programs. For more information on
MediciNova, Inc., please visit www.medicinova.com.
Statements in this press release that are not historical in
nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, statements regarding the future development and
efficacy of BC-PIV SARS-COV-2 vaccine, MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and
MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by,
followed by or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could,"
"may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar
expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results
or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development
of BC-PIV SARS-COV-2 vaccine, MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029
and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund
MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development,
risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the
potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical
trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further
development considering these factors, product development and
commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of
clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of
product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or
maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on
third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding
intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability
to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk
of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to
conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates
to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due
to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis
of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of
clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the
timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities,
MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of
funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's
ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise
sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and
uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its subsequent periodic
reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue
reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any
intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking
statements.
INVESTOR CONTACT: Geoff O'Brien Vice President MediciNova, Inc.
info@medicinova.com
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