GeoVax Receives Notice of Allowance for Zika Vaccine Patent

Rhea-AI Summary

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (GOVX) announced a significant achievement in its Zika vaccine development, receiving a Notice of Allowance for its patent application related to its novel vaccine candidate, GEO-ZM02. Preclinical studies showed that a single dose of this vaccine provided 100% protection against a lethal dose of the Zika virus. This promising outcome highlights the vaccine's potential to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women of childbearing age and newborns, against Zika-related diseases. Additionally, GeoVax is advancing its MVA-based next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, currently in Phase 2 trials, further solidifying its commitment to addressing critical infectious diseases.

Positive

• Received a Notice of Allowance for patent application on GEO-ZM02.
• Preclinical studies show 100% protection against lethal Zika virus dose.
• Vaccine targets critical unmet needs in vulnerable populations.

Negative

• None.

Preclinical Evaluation Demonstrated 100% Protection Against a Lethal Dose of Zika Virus

ATLANTA, GA, Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a Notice of Allowance for Patent Application No. 17/000,768 titled, “Method for Generating a ZIKV Immune Response Utilizing a Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara Vector Encoding the NS1 Protein.”

“Our novel Zika vaccine candidate, GEO-ZM02, is constructed using our modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector platform. Preclinical studies demonstrated a single dose of GEO-ZM02 provided 100% protection against a lethal dose of Zika virus,” stated GeoVax CEO David Dodd. “Addressing many of the world’s most threatening infectious diseases is part of our vision and corporate priorities for MVA’s applications, which also includes an MVA-based next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in Phase 2 clinical trials.”

A pathogen endemic in parts of the world, Zika virus (ZIKV) is linked to an increase in microcephaly in infants and neurodegenerative disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, in adults. The claims to be granted in the patent cover GeoVax’s MVA vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a ZIKV nonstructural (NS1) protein, of which GEO-ZM02 is designed. 

With an outstanding safety record, MVA holds great potential to address the critical unmet need in vaccination of women of childbearing age and newborns against ZIKV. GEO-ZM02 is designed to function through the induction of T cell responses rather than antibodies to eliminate the risk of Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE). ADE is a serious side effect observed in flavivirus infections when an individual does not have a fully protective immune response from vaccination or a previous infection which causes a more serious disease if infected.

ZIKV is a member of the Flaviviridae family, which includes other significant pathogens affecting patients worldwide such as dengue fever, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Public health officials recommend avoiding exposure to ZIKV, delaying pregnancy, and following basic supportive care (fluids, rest, and acetaminophen) after infection.

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:
Gina Cestari
6 Degrees
917-797-7904
gcestari@6degreespr.com

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

FAQ

What is GeoVax's recent patent application about?

GeoVax's recent patent application pertains to its Zika vaccine candidate, GEO-ZM02, which utilizes a modified vaccinia Ankara vector.

What protection does GEO-ZM02 offer?

GEO-ZM02 has demonstrated 100% protection against a lethal dose of the Zika virus in preclinical studies.

What is the significance of the Zika virus vaccine?

The Zika virus is linked to severe health issues like microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, making effective vaccination vital.

How is GeoVax addressing COVID-19?

GeoVax is developing an MVA-based next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in Phase 2 clinical trials.

What populations is GEO-ZM02 targeting?

GEO-ZM02 is designed to protect women of childbearing age and newborns from Zika virus.