Pharmexa and Ichor collaborate to improve DNA vaccine delivery

Danish vaccine developer Pharmexa is working with drug delivery specialist Ichor Medical Systems to improve the delivery of DNA vaccines using electroporation technology.Electroporation opens the pathways into cells and is claimed to enhance the potency of DNA vaccines, compared to other methods of delivery.

Electroporation opens the pathways into cells and is claimed to enhance the potency of DNA vaccines, compared to other methods of delivery.

This new agreement will allow Pharmexa to its expertise in DNA-based vaccines and Ichor's TriGrid electroporation device to develop a universal influenza vaccine and one for malaria. Ichor's push-button electroporation system minimises operator error and ensures the safe and reproducible administration of DNA from one patient to another.

Pharmexa's DNA vaccines were developed with the aid of its proprietary EIS technology and are based on pathogen-derived conserved T-lymphocyte (HTL) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. These vaccines are primarily aimed at inducing strong and protective cellular immune responses in the vast majority of people.

The universal influenza vaccine is designed to provide enhanced protection against influenza in the elderly, a growing population group particularly vulnerable to influenza-related morbidity and mortality.

The epitopes included in the vaccine are derived from highly conserved portions of viral proteins from past and current viral strains, predicted to cover all human and avian strains. If safe and efficacious, this truly universal influenza vaccine holds promise as a seasonal influenza vaccine and as a vaccine against the pandemic threat.

Pharmexa-Epimmune ceo Marc Hertz, said: "Pharmexa is delighted to partner some of its unique polyepitope vaccine projects with Ichor. "We believe electroporation-mediated delivery of DNA vaccines has the potential to revolutionise the DNA vaccine field. Rationally designed vaccines, such as the universal influenza vaccine, combined with superior delivery technologies, may provide new opportunities for prophylaxis and treatment of important diseases."