Inovio and Beijing Advaccine to advance vaccine against Coronavirus
![](/46/pdcnewsitem/08/18/65/86Sxw0b9llU%20(1).jpg)
Agreement will facilitate clinical trial translations in China.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals is collaborating with Beijing Advaccine Biotechnology to advance the development in China of INO-4800, Inovio's vaccine against the recently emerged strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that has killed numerous people and infected thousands more in China to date.
Inovio recently announced that it is developing INO-4800 through Phase I human testing in the US to evaluate safety and immunogenicity with the support of an initial grant up to $9 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Inovio plans to rapidly develop INO-4800 against the new coronavirus and has already started preclinical testing and preparations for clinical product manufacturing. The goal of this collaboration is to leverage Advaccine's expertise to run a Phase I trial in China in parallel with Inovio's clinical development efforts in the US. Inovio and Advaccine will also work together to attract additional grant funding and further collaborations with larger vaccine companies in China to increase the speed of future testing of INO-4800.
Dr J. Joseph Kim, Inovio's President & CEO, said: "Our collaboration with Beijing Advaccine and its Founder, Emeritus Professor Bin Wang from the prestigious Fudan University and China's premier DNA vaccine expert, will tremendously accelerate our coronavirus vaccine INO-4800 development in China because of its expertise and experience with regulatory authorities and clinical trial management. This collaboration allows us to enter China and deliver our vaccine into the areas where they need it most as soon as possible. Our shared goal is to utilize both companies' expertise in developing vaccines for emerging infectious diseases and hopefully achieve an accelerated regulatory approval for INO-4800."
Inovio's participation in this developing effort is based on the ideal suitability of its DNA medicine platform to rapidly develop vaccines against emerging viruses with pandemic potential, proven vaccine development capabilities, and a strong track record of rapidly generating promising countermeasures against previous pandemic threats. Inovio was the first to advance its vaccine (INO-4700) against MERS-CoV, a related coronavirus, into evaluation in humans. Inovio is currently preparing to initiate a Phase II trial for INO-4700 in the Middle East where most MERS viral outbreaks have occurred. Those efforts are supported by CEPI funding and partnership.
In a recently published paper in Lancet Infectious Diseases, Inovio's Phase I study of INO-4700, its MERS-CoV vaccine, demonstrated it was well-tolerated and furthermore induced high levels of antibody responses in approximately 95% of subjects, while also generating broad-based T cell responses in nearly 90% of study participants. Durable antibody responses to INO-4700 were also maintained through 60 weeks following dosing.
Related News
-
News Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug receives approval from US FDA
After facing several hurdles on its path to approval last year, Eli Lilly’s donanemab treatment for early Alzheimer’s, brand name Kisunla, received US FDA approval this past week. It is the second therapy for slowing the progression of Alzh... -
News This week in GLP-1 drug headlines: Manufacturing investment and new market launches
As drugmakers race to put their own GLP-1 drug products forward as the next biggest thing in weight-loss, current products are making numerous headlines this week with a number of new developments in their commercialisation and approval. Discover the l... -
News Women in Pharma: Regulating equity across regional borders
In our monthly series focusing on women in the pharmaceutical industry, we interview leading experts in the pharmaceutical supply and value chain to discuss the importance of gender diversity in healthcare, the workplace, and beyond. -
News Viral marketing for B2B pharma businesses: a CPHI Online case study
Discover how a Chinese chemical manufacturing company went viral on TikTok, and what their viral success means for the future of B2B digital marketing for the wider pharmaceutical industry and supply chain. -
News New Aurigene biologics facility opens in Hyderabad, India
Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Ltd. have opened a biologics facility in Hyderabad, India in a biocluster known as Genome Valley. -
News Novo Nordisk launches 'Power of Wegovy' national campaign
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk have launched a new national campaign – The Power of Wegovy – that aims to educate those living with obesity on their blockbuster drug Wegovy throughout the United States. -
News Women in Pharma Anniversary: Celebrating Our Heroines of Pharma
Our Women in Pharma interview series is approaching its 1-year anniversary this month, and to celebrate, we are highlighting the Heroines of Pharma that our very own Women in Pharma admire. -
News Sanofi gains rare disease therapy in acquisition of Inhibrx for US$1.7 billion
Sanofi completed the acquisition of the clinical-stage biotech company Inhibrx in late May 2024 after settling on a US$1.7 billion buyout. The acquisition brings with it a rare disease therapy to bollster Sanofi's pipeline.
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance