Evaxion Showcases Improved Performance of Key Building Block in AI-Immunology™ at Computational Biology Conference

Rhea-AI Summary

Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX) has unveiled improved performance of its key AI-Immunology™ building block, EvaxMHC, at the 32nd Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology conference. The advancements in EvaxMHC are expected to enhance Evaxion's ability to accurately predict vaccine targets for personalized and precision vaccines in cancer and infectious diseases.

The improvements include:

• Utilization of a state-of-the-art deep-learning framework
• Creation of a unified representation for MHC class I and II molecules
• Implementation of a deep transformer encoder-decoder architecture
• Adoption of a generative adversarial network (GAN) pretraining mechanism

These enhancements have led to improved vaccine designs demonstrated in preclinical studies, particularly for MHC class II molecules, which have historically been challenging to predict accurately.

Positive

• Improved performance of EvaxMHC, a key building block in AI-Immunology™ platform
• Enhanced accuracy in predicting peptide-MHC interactions, especially for MHC class II molecules
• Advancements expected to improve vaccine target prediction for personalized and precision vaccines
• Improved vaccine designs demonstrated in preclinical studies

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Expert

Evaxion’s enhancement of its EvaxMHC building block using an advanced deep-learning framework stands out significantly. This advancement is important in the field of AI-driven immunology, particularly in refining the prediction of peptide-MHC interactions, a core aspect of creating effective vaccines. The usage of deep transformer encoder-decoder architecture and a generative adversarial network (GAN) for pretraining provides a modern approach to increasing accuracy. This will likely bolster Evaxion's position as a leader in AI-Immunology™.

For a retail investor, understanding the technical leap here is essential. This improvement means EvaxMHC now offers a higher precision in predicting which peptides will trigger an immune response, enhancing the design of personalized vaccines. This development can translate into faster timelines for clinical trials and improved outcomes, potentially driving up the company’s value in the medium to long term.

Medical Research Analyst

From a medical research perspective, the improved performance of EvaxMHC in predicting peptide-MHC interactions for MHC class II molecules is noteworthy. Historically, MHC class II has been challenging due to its complex nature. The advancements highlighted here suggest a more effective pathway for developing personalized and precision vaccines for both cancer and infectious diseases.

This is particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing Phase 2 trial for Evaxion’s lead vaccine candidate, EVX-01. Enhanced prediction capabilities can lead to more tailored and effective vaccine designs, potentially improving clinical trial success rates. This development should be monitored closely, as positive outcomes in clinical trials can significantly impact the company’s stock performance.

Market Research Analyst

In the competitive landscape of biotech and AI-driven immunology, Evaxion’s recent progress with EvaxMHC is a significant differentiator. The ability to accurately predict vaccine targets is a critical component in the development pipeline and gives Evaxion a distinct competitive edge. This improvement is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic enhancement that can fortify the company's market position.

For investors, it’s worth noting that any successful integration of these advancements into ongoing clinical trials can boost market confidence and drive stock value. The market potential for effective AI-immunology platforms is vast, particularly in personalized medicine, which is increasingly becoming a focal point in healthcare.

• Central AI-Immunology™ Building Block: Evaxion’s proprietary in-house developed building block, EvaxMHC, is used across the AI-Immunology™ platform
  
  
• Improved Performance: Utilizing a state-of-the-art novel deep-learning framework as well as training on public and proprietary data, Evaxion has improved the performance of EvaxMHC compared to publicly available tools
  
  
• Precision in Vaccine Target Prediction: These advancements in EvaxMHC’s performance are anticipated to further enhance Evaxion’s ability to accurately predict vaccine targets
  

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, July 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX) (“Evaxion” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage TechBio company specializing in developing AI-Immunology™ powered vaccines, today showcases improved performance of its key building block, EvaxMHC, within its AI-Immunology™ platform, at the 32^nd Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) conference taking place in Montreal, Canada, from July 12-16, 2024.

A key feature in developing effective AI-designed personalized and precision vaccines is the ability to accurately predict which small fragments, known as peptides, of pathogens or cancer cells are displayed on the surface of cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. This display allows the immune system to recognize and eliminate the threat. Evaxion’s EvaxMHC building block predicts which peptides are more likely to be presented by MHC molecules, thereby aiding vaccine target discovery and facilitating the development of effective vaccines.

Christian Kanstrup, Evaxion’s CEO, comments: “Our results demonstrate significant improvements in the prediction of peptide-MHC interactions, particularly for MHC class II molecules, which have historically been difficult to predict accurately. With this advancement on AI-Immunology™ we now have a more reliable and effective tool for designing personalized and precision vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases. The improved EvaxMHC building block is used in the ongoing Phase 2 trial with Evaxion’s lead vaccine candidate, the personal cancer vaccine EVX-01.”

Key highlights showcased at the presentation:

• A state-of-the-art deep-learning framework was utilized, enhancing the accuracy of peptide-MHC predictions
  
  
• Our approach includes three new strategies: Creating a unified representation for both MHC class I and -II molecules, utilizing a deep transformer encoder-decoder architecture, and adopting a generative adversarial network (GAN) pretraining mechanism
  
  
• The updated EvaxMHC building block led to improved vaccine designs demonstrated in preclinical studies
  

About AI-Immunology™
AI-Immunology™ is a scalable and adaptable artificial intelligence technology platform at the forefront of vaccine discovery for infectious diseases and cancers. By integrating the collective power of proprietary AI models PIONEER™, EDEN™, RAVEN™, and ObsERV™, the platform can model the complexity of the patient’s immune system. AI-Immunology™ advanced computational modeling swiftly and uniquely identifies, predicts, and designs vaccine candidates, revolutionizing the landscape of immunotherapy by offering a holistic and personalized approach to combat fast-evolving pathogens and malignant cells.

About EVAXION
Evaxion Biotech A/S is a pioneering TechBio company based upon its AI platform, AI-Immunology™. Evaxion’s proprietary and scalable AI prediction models harness the power of artificial intelligence to decode the human immune system and develop novel immunotherapies for cancer, bacterial diseases, and viral infections. Based upon AI-Immunology™, Evaxion has developed a clinical-stage oncology pipeline of novel personalized vaccines and a preclinical infectious disease pipeline in bacterial and viral diseases with high unmet medical needs. Evaxion is committed to transforming patients’ lives by providing innovative and targeted treatment options. For more information about Evaxion and its groundbreaking AI-Immunology™ platform and vaccine pipeline, please visit our website.

Forward-Looking Statement 
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “hope,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could,” and other words and terms of similar meaning identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, risks related to: our financial condition and need for additional capital; our development work; cost and success of our product development activities and preclinical and clinical trials; commercializing any approved pharmaceutical product developed using our AI platform technology, including the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates; our dependence on third parties including for conduct of clinical testing and product manufacture; our inability to enter into partnerships; government regulation; protection of our intellectual property rights; employee matters and managing growth; our ADSs and ordinary shares, the impact of international economic, political, legal, compliance, social and business factors, including inflation, and the effects on our business from the worldwide ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in the region surrounding Ukraine and Russia and the Middle East; and other uncertainties affecting our business operations and financial condition. For a further discussion of these risks, please refer to the risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at www.sec.gov. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law. 

FAQ

What improvements has Evaxion Biotech (EVAX) made to its EvaxMHC building block?

Evaxion has improved EvaxMHC by using a state-of-the-art deep-learning framework, creating a unified representation for MHC class I and II molecules, implementing a deep transformer encoder-decoder architecture, and adopting a generative adversarial network (GAN) pretraining mechanism.

How might the improvements to EvaxMHC affect Evaxion's (EVAX) vaccine development?

The improvements are expected to enhance Evaxion's ability to accurately predict vaccine targets, potentially leading to more effective personalized and precision vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases.

Where did Evaxion Biotech (EVAX) showcase its improved EvaxMHC performance in July 2024?

Evaxion showcased the improved performance of EvaxMHC at the 32nd Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB) conference in Montreal, Canada, from July 12-16, 2024.

What is the current stage of Evaxion's (EVAX) lead vaccine candidate EVX-01?

According to the press release, EVX-01, Evaxion's lead vaccine candidate and a personal cancer vaccine, is currently in a Phase 2 trial using the improved EvaxMHC building block.