GeoVax Announces Decisive Progress in Establishing High-Capacity, Continuous Cell Line System to Manufacture MVA-based Vaccines

Rhea-AI Summary

GeoVax Labs, a biotechnology firm, announced progress in developing a continuous avian cell line system for its MVA-based vaccines and immunotherapies. This new manufacturing method aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs, transitioning from the traditional chicken embryonic fibroblast process. CEO David Dodd emphasized that this transformation will enable timely global responses to health threats and broaden MVA applications. Currently, GeoVax is engaged in clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine targeting high-risk populations. The company aims to lead in MVA-based vaccine production, including for diseases like Mpox and Smallpox.

Positive

• Advancement in developing a high-yield, high-capacity continuous avian cell line for MVA vaccines.
• Transitioning to a modern manufacturing process expected to lower costs and increase scalability.
• Focus on addressing urgent public health needs with timely vaccine production.

Negative

• None.

Focused on Providing Rapid Response to Combat Emerging Infectious Threats

ATLANTA, GA, Feb. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, today announced significant progress in developing a high-yield, high-capacity, continuous avian cell line system for manufacturing its MVA (modified vaccinia Ankara)-based vaccines and immunotherapies. 

Currently, MVA vaccines are manufactured in cells cultured from chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF), a suboptimal and time-consuming process useful primarily for niche markets and stockpile reserves. Now, after exploring various approaches to growing MVA in continuous cell lines in bioreactors more suitable for high-yield, commercial-scale manufacturing, GeoVax will accelerate activities towards fully implementing a proprietary, continuous cell line manufacturing system that will provide lower-cost, scalable versatility for broad MVA vaccine and immunotherapy applications.

During his presentation at the BIO CEO and Investor Conference in New York City, David Dodd, President and CEO, stated, “Developing a high-yield, high-capacity process to produce MVA-based vaccines and immunotherapies will be nothing short of transformational – for GeoVax, biomedicine, and the public’s health. By advancing our MVA manufacturing to a modern, interchangeable process, we are on course to expand MVA applications from stockpile-based solutions for niche medical markets to respond to world needs on a timely basis, whenever and wherever they arise. We believe that GeoVax will be the first supplier of MVA-based vaccines to implement such a transformative manufacturing process. We also intend to become the first U.S.-based supplier of the MVA vaccine to prevent Mpox (monkeypox), Smallpox and other pox-related viruses.”

About GeoVax
GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies and vaccines for cancers and many of the world’s most threatening infectious diseases. The company’s lead program in oncology is a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin®, presently in a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. GeoVax’s lead infectious disease candidate is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine targeting high-risk immunocompromised patient populations. Currently in two Phase 2 clinical trials, GEO-CM04S1 is being evaluated as a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient. In addition, GEO-CM04S1 is in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the vaccine as a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received the mRNA vaccines. GeoVax has a leadership team who has driven significant value creation across multiple life science companies over the past several decades. For more information, visit our website: www.geovax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding GeoVax’s business plans. The words “believe,” “look forward to,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used effectively, GeoVax’s viral vector technology adequately amplifies immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control.

Further information on our risk factors is contained in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. 

Media Relations Contact:
Nancy Turett
GeoVax
914-434-0311
nmturett@geovax.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Rich Cockrell
CG Capital
404-736-3838
govx@cg.capital

FAQ

What are the recent developments for GeoVax Labs (GOVX) in February 2023?

GeoVax Labs reported progress in creating a high-capacity manufacturing system for its MVA-based vaccines and immunotherapies.

How will GeoVax's new manufacturing system impact vaccine production?

The new continuous cell line system aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, allowing for timely responses to health emergencies.

What clinical trials is GeoVax Labs (GOVX) currently conducting?

GeoVax is conducting Phase 2 clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine targeting immunocompromised patients and evaluating it as a booster.

What diseases will GeoVax's MVA vaccines target?

GeoVax plans to produce MVA vaccines for Mpox, Smallpox, and other pox-related viruses.