HALIFAX, April 14 /PRNewswire/ - ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc. (IVT), a vaccine development company, has announced the signing of a 3-year research agreement with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). The research collaboration involves the preclinical application of IVT’s DepoVax(TM) vaccine formulation to anthrax antigens to explore new methods to prevent, prepare for, and respond to biological threats.
“Dr. Les Nagata and his research team at DRDC are leaders in developing vaccines to fight deadly microbial pathogens and we look forward to this collaboration,” remarked Dr. Marc Mansour, vice president of R&D at IVT. “Because our DepoVax(TM) formulation creates a long-lasting immune response and comes in a dry format that is easily reconstituted, it is well suited for the development of an effective anti-anthrax vaccine.”
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Infection with anthrax is very serious, and potentially life threatening. Currently, to protect individuals who may come in contact with anthrax, immunization consists of three injections given 2 weeks apart, followed by three additional injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.
ABOUT IVT
ImmunoVaccine Technologies Inc., winner of Canada’s Top 10 Life Sciences Companies, is a privately held, vaccine development company. Through its own biotech research, patented VacciMax(R) and DepoVax(TM) technologies, and collaborations with partners, IVT creates vaccines with the potential to help save and improve lives around the world. www.immunovaccine.com.
ABOUT DRDC
DRDC is an agency of the Department of National Defence, responding to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces and national security communities. With a broad scientific program, DRDC actively collaborates with industry, international allies, academia, other government departments and the national security community. www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca.
CONTACT: Dr. Marc Mansour, Vice President R&D, ImmunoVaccine Technologies
Inc., (902) 491-5733, mm.ivt@immunovaccine.com; Jennifer Ayotte,
Communications, (902) 209-4704, jayotte@impactcommunications.ca
