AmVac AG registers progress with the RSV vaccine
03.03.2010 – 12:42
Zug (ots)
The Swiss AmVac AG, a biopharmaceutical company located in Zug, has made significant advances in the manufacture and production of its vaccine candidate against RSV over the last few months. This vaccine candidate is based on the new Sendai vector technology for which Max-Planck-Innovations GmbH has acquired the exclusive licence. This technology, which has been developed by Prof. Wolfgang Neubert's group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, can be used for many indications. The initial aim is to offer protection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with a vaccine produced on this basis. RSV is a viral pathogen that causes severe airway diseases that are characterised by loss of function of the mucous membranes. This leads to reduced oxygen uptake and very distressing breathlessness. Young children, the elderly, and individuals with a weakened immune system are particularly affected by this flu-like viral disease. Following the successful technology transfer from the Max-Planck-Institute with tremendous support from Prof. Wolfgang Neubert, and setting up and training the AmVac Research GmbH team, major advances have already been made in the manufacture and production of the RSC vaccine candidate. Therefore, AmVac Research GmbH is confident that the proof of principle results from animal models will already become available this year. This would be a major step forward towards the intended aim of using the vaccine for humans.
Sendai vector platform technology is an innovative vaccine platform for the development of a novel generation of live vaccines. It has been developed at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich under the leadership of Prof. Dr Wolfgang Neubert. Furthermore, AmVac AG is also in possession of the adjuvant family Malp 2, licensed from the Helmholtz-Institute in Hanover. Both technologies are now to be advanced and optimised together with the scientific developers of the two technologies, Prof. Dr Wolfgang Neubert and Prof. Dr Carlos Guzman, with the support of Prof. Dr Reinhard Glück, President of the Advisory Board and the Swiss Biotech Association. This concentration of the platform technologies allows for significant costs savings in scientific staffing levels.
AmVac AG
AmVac AG is a biopharmaceutical company situated in Switzerland. The company focuses on the vaccine market with its above-average growth figures. There are two therapeutic vaccines in the pipeline, which are soon to be launched in the fields of gynaecology and urology. Further innovative vaccines and technologies are at the development stage. The renowned market research company Frost & Sullivan awarded AmVac AG the coveted prize "Enabling Technology of the Year Award" in 2007.
Contact:
Ariane Meynert, Head of PR/IR
Tel.: +41/41/725'32'34
Mobile: +41/79/793'34'19
E-Mail: meynert@amvac.ch