Halifax, Nova Scotia; October 6, 2014 – Immunovaccine Inc. (“Immunovaccine” or “IMV” or “the Company”) (TSX-V: IMV), a clinical stage vaccine and immunotherapy company, today announced that the Company will present at the 13th Annual BIO Investor Forum. The conference will take place October 7-8, 2014 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Details of Immunovaccine’s presentation are as follows:
Event: 13th Annual BIO Investor Forum
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Time: 1:30 – 1:55 p.m. PDT
Location: Sea Cliff Presentation Room
Marc Mansour, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Immunovaccine, will deliver a corporate presentation describing the positive results for a test Ebola vaccine formulated in DepoVax (DPX-Ebola) achieved in a challenge study performed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In a recent study using cynomolgus monkeys, which are particularly sensitive to the Ebola virus, all vaccinated subjects survived exposure to a lethal dose of the wild type Zaire strain of the virus.
In light of recent global events surrounding the Ebola virus crossing borders before it can be detected, there is an urgent need for a safe and effective Ebola vaccine capable of providing rapid and long-lasting protection, ideally with a single dose.
Immunovaccine is working with researchers at the NIH on the planning and ramp-up of additional studies of DPX-Ebola with data from these studies expected in 2015. Importantly, these new data are expected to support advancing DPX-Ebola into human studies.
Immunovaccine also recently announced plans to initiate a Phase II clinical study of its lead cancer vaccine candidate, DPX-Survivac, in combination with oral cyclophosphamide in patients with recurrent diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This combination therapy trial was designed following an observation of a durable clinical benefit in an ovarian patient who received this combination therapy. Data from this lymphoma study may provide additional evidence of the clinical benefit of DPX-Survivac in an important cancer indication with significant unmet need.
This wide applicability of DPX-Survivac across multiple cancer types is supported by the fact that survivin, the vaccine’s target, is broadly expressed in many solid tumors and blood cancers. Importantly, Survivin is found in tumors of a large percentage of patients with these cancers.
About DPX-Survivac
DPX-Survivac consists of survivin-based peptide antigens formulated in the DepoVax™ adjuvanting platform. Survivin has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a promising tumor-associated antigen (TAA) because of its therapeutic potential and its cancer specificity. Survivin is broadly over-expressed in solid tumors and blood cancers including ovarian, breast, colon and lung cancers, among others. Survivin plays an essential role in antagonizing apoptosis, supporting tumor-associated angiogenesis, and promoting resistance to various anti-cancer therapies. Survivin is also a prognostic factor for many cancers and it is found in high percentage of cancer patients.
The DPX-Survivac vaccine is thought to work by eliciting a cytotoxic T cell immune response against cells presenting survivin peptides on HLA class I molecules. This targeted therapy attempts to use the immune system to actively search for tumor cells expressing survivin and destroy them.
About DepoVax™
DepoVax™ is a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune system, resulting in a strong, specific and sustained immune response with the potential for single-dose effectiveness. The DepoVax platform is flexible and can be used with a broad range of target antigens for preventative or therapeutic applications. The technology is designed to be commercially scalable, with the potential for years of shelf life stability.
About Immunovaccine
Immunovaccine Inc. develops cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines based on the Company’s DepoVax™ platform, a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens and adjuvant to the immune system. Immunovaccine has advanced two T cell activation therapies for cancer through Phase I human clinical trials. Lead cancer vaccine therapy, DPX-Survivac, is expected to enter Phase II clinical studies in both ovarian cancer and glioblastoma (brain cancer), with Immunovaccine also exploring additional studies in other indications including lymphoma and recurrent ovarian cancer. The Company is also advancing an infectious disease pipeline including innovative vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), anthrax and Ebola virus.
Connect at www.imvaccine.com
This press release contains forward-looking information under applicable securities law. All information that addresses activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. However, they should not be regarded as a representation that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this press release due to risks affecting the company, including access to capital, the successful completion of clinical trials and receipt of all regulatory approvals. Immunovaccine Inc. assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements in this press release except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Contacts:
Dr. Marc Mansour, Chief Executive Officer, Immunovaccine Inc.
T: (902) 492-1819 E: mmansour@imvaccine.com
Tim Brons, Vida Strategic Partners (media)
T: (415) 675-7402 E: tbrons@vidasp.com
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