Groningen, the Netherlands, 21 March 2011 -- Dutch biotechnology company Mucosis B.V. today announced the start of a Phase 1 clinical study with its lead product FluGEM™, a novel improved influenza vaccine for the elderly. It is
the first-ever study in man with a vaccine candidate based on Mimopath™, a proprietary
platform technology for developing more potent vaccines.
The clinical study will be conducted in conjunction with the Centre for Human Drug Research
(CHDR; Leiden, the Netherlands). It is designed to test the safety and tolerability of FluGEM™,
as well as the mucosal and systemic immune responses including correlates of protection against
influenza viruses. The trial will involve FluGEM™ being administered both as droplets in the
nose and by intramuscular injection.
Mucosis has evaluated FluGEM™ for safety and toxicity in well-accepted animal models, and
found it to be safe at all doses tested. Moreover, preclinical results show an induction of robust
mucosal and systemic immunity and superior protection from an influenza challenge.
“We are very pleased with the on-schedule initiation of this Phase 1 study,” said Govert
Schouten, CEO of Mucosis. “This is an important step towards realizing our ambition of taking
an improved flu vaccine to the market. In addition, this study will validate Mimopath™ as a
platform technology for the development of new vaccines that provide better and broader
protection”.
The enrollment of volunteers for the trial has been initiated and immunizations are scheduled to
start in the next weeks. The vaccine will be tested in 90 adult and 60 elderly trialists. Interim top-
line data from the study are expected to become available before the end of 2011. The clinical
study is financially supported by Agentschap NL, an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic
Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.
For further information please contact:
Govert Schouten
CEO Mucosis B.V.
+31 (6) 55320948
govert.schouten@mucosis.com
www.mucosis.com