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Juvaris BioTherapeutics Inc. today announced the award of an 18-month Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)-Advanced Technology grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the testing of a novel vaccine ultimately directed against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative agent for Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease Syndrome (AIDS) in humans. The studies are being conducted in collaboration with Drs. Kristina Abel and Chris Miller at the California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), University of California, Davis. This NIH-funded project involves the use of Juvaris' proprietary JuvaVaxTM vaccine platform containing an inactivated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) as a model for HIV. The JuvaVaxTM vaccine is capable of activating substantial antibody and cellular immune responses, particularly cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, considered important for protection and treatment of virus infections. The vaccine will initially be tested by the CNPRC group in Rhesus macaque non-human primates to determine immune response activation. Subsequent studies will evaluate vaccine-generated protection in the SIV-infection monkey model, which is similar to HIV infection in humans. Demonstrated efficacy in this model will provide the basis for subsequent HIV/AIDS vaccine development. "We are pleased to be working on the development of a potential HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate with the support of NIAID," said Martin D. Cleary, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Juvaris. "Juvaris is excited to collaborate with the CNPRC in the evaluation of this vaccine approach in non-human primates. We believe the various attributes of the JuvaVaxTM platform strongly support the requirements for an effective HIV vaccine. Juvaris appreciates the opportunity to demonstrate the power of its immunostimulation technology through this grant and collaboration." The need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS worldwide is urgent. Statistics from the World Health Organization-UNAIDS joint program on the epidemic estimated in December 2004 that worldwide, more than 60 million adults and children have been infected with HIV, 28 million have died of AIDS, and 39.4 million (~1 million, US) are currently living with the infection. Approximately 4.9 million new HIV infections and 3.1 million AIDS-related deaths occurred in 2004. Life expectancy has been severely impacted by AIDS in sub-Saharan African countries, and is now beginning to impact India, China, Russia, and Eastern Europe. About Juvaris Juvaris BioTherapeutics was created in 2003 to develop an immunotherapeutic product platform for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancers using lipid-DNA complexes. Cationic lipids are formulated with non-coding DNA (plasmid) to create JuvImmuneTM, a lipid-DNA complex, which as a single product will have utility in multiple cancer and infectious disease applications. The JuvImmuneTM product has been shown to be at least 50-times more potent at triggering innate immune activation and interferon release than current immune stimulants. When combined with disease-specific antigens, the technology creates JuvaVaxTM vaccines capable of activating substantial antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses, particularly induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Immunological responses elicited by the lipid-DNA complexes have been successfully demonstrated in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings in a variety of mammals including rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs and non-human primates. Moreover, substantial immune responses have been induced following oral and intranasal administration. This platform provides the opportunity to develop many disease-specific immunotherapy products, for which there are significant unmet medical needs. On January 9, 2006, the Company announced the award of a two-year Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the NIAID for the development of an influenza A virus vaccine. The Company encourages investment and partnering inquiries, including this project, and can be reached at its website @ www.juvaris.com. Company Contact: |