TechnoVax Awarded NIH Grant to Develop a Universal Flu Vaccine based on its Virus-Like-Particle (VLP) Technology

TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TechnoVax, Inc., a biotechnology developer of novel vaccines has received a two-year $600,000 SBIR grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant is to support TechnoVax program for the development of a universal influenza vaccine utilizing its proprietary VLP technology.

"We greatly appreciate this NIAID grant and this funding will accelerate the development of this much needed vaccine," stated Dr. Jose Galarza, CEO of TechnoVax. "This award recognizes not only the innovative research carried-out at TechnoVax but also emphasizes the importance of developing a flu vaccine that can protect against multiple virus strains, including pandemic ones, and whose protective effect could last for several years: effectively bringing us closer to the development of a truly "universal" flu vaccine."

Technovax's VLP technology is a novel way to produce vaccines against dangerous viruses as VLPs contain no infectious material and are highly immunogenic. TechnoVax's VLP vaccine technology uses a rapid, safer and more effective cell-based system for development and production, reducing by more than half the time needed by the traditional egg-based system. The VLP vaccine technology is one of the most advanced technologies in the vaccine field.

By re-engineering conserved epitopes displayed on VLPs, various strains of influenza will be neutralized following immunization. This strategy aims to overcome all type of antigenic variations and therefore affords sustainable protection against circulating and emerging influenza viruses.

Influenza viruses that infect humans are constantly evolving and changing. With its universal flu program, TechnoVax wants to ensure that flu vaccination keeps up with these constant changes by developing a vaccine that will protect us more effectively against most flu stains and for several years. Current flu vaccines only protect against circulating strains and need to be updated annually.

About TechnoVax Inc.

TechnoVax is a privately held biotechnology company based in Tarrytown (N.Y.) specializing in vaccine development using unique and innovative platform technologies. The company is committed to develop novel vaccines which are safer and more effective than those currently available. TechnoVax is presently evaluating in preclinical phase vaccines to protect against influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and dengue.

For more information, visit: www.technovax.com or contact: