VBI Vaccines Expands Proprietary Technology Platforms With Development Of A Novel mRNA-Launched eVLP Vaccine Program

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | October 26, 2023 08:20am

• Preclinical data suggests novel mRNA-launched eVLPs ("MLE") generate significantly enhanced B-cell and T-cell responses compared to mRNA-expression of antigens alone
• In addition to immunologic benefits, new MLE technology enables manufacturing of particulate vaccines on an accelerated timeline, similar to other mRNA manufacturing timelines
• Based on encouraging data seen to date, MLE proprietary technology is under evaluation by multiple potential partners, including by both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• Detailed preclinical data are also being targeted for presentation at a future scientific conference

VBI Vaccines Inc. (NASDAQ:VBIV) (VBI), a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment of disease, today announced the development of its next-generation mRNA-launched enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) technology, which expands on the company's current proprietary eVLP technology by coding the particles in messenger RNA (mRNA). In preclinical studies, VBI's new mRNA-launched eVLP (MLE) technology has demonstrated an ability to generate stronger B- and T-cell signals than those seen with other mRNA vaccines tested. The MLE technology also has the added benefit of streamlined and accelerated chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) processes and manufacturing timelines, similar to other known mRNA vaccine production platforms.

"This innovative approach to vaccine development leverages the strengths of both our eVLP platform and those seen in mRNA vaccine technologies, resulting in a platform that has the potential to produce highly potent, well-tolerated vaccines in an accelerated timeframe," said David E. Anderson, VBI's Chief Scientific Officer. "Our MLE technology uses the human body as a bioreactor to produce complex proteins that mimic the natural viral targets, stimulating a strong functional immune response. We are excited about the preclinical data generated to date and the manufacturing advantages of this technology, promising attributes which would be applied across a broad range of preventive and therapeutic targets."

VBI's MLE Program Highlights:

Multiple animal studies have assessed MLE presentation of target antigens compared to mRNA-expression alone – studies conducted include target antigens from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and coronaviruses

Immunologic Responses – Breadth & Potency:

• MLE presentation of multiple antigens induced up to 10-fold higher neutralizing antibody responses vs. standard mRNA expression
• MLE presentation of multiple antigens enhanced the induction of polyfunctional CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses – balanced, polyfunctional T-cells typically correlate with enhanced efficacy in both preventive and therapeutic settings
• Breadth and quality of immune response to MLE technology expand the potential for MLE-targeted therapies across infectious disease, cancer, and allergic and autoimmune disease indications

Durability of Immune Response:

• Mice vaccinated with MLE-coded antigens experienced 12-fold stronger memory recall responses compared to standard mRNA-coded antigens alone, when challenged 7 months following immunization
• Rapid immunologic recall responses can have clinical benefit in the form of improved durability of protection as well as protection against viral reactivation

Functional Engineering:

• Leveraging the flexibility of VBI's eVLP technology, target antigens can be expressed both internally and externally with the potential to "tune" the desired immune response

About the mRNA-Launched eVLP (MLE) Program

Standard mRNA vaccines are transported to cells in a lipid nanoparticle, carrying instructions in the form of genetic code that teach the immune system to generate proteins that trigger an immune response to a target antigen. VBI's MLE approach adds a structural viral protein core – the same protein at the core of VBI's eVLPs – to an mRNA vaccine. The addition of this protein instructs cells not only to create target antigens, but also to create eVLPs in vivo, which then circulate in the body, provoking the immune system to drive potent B-cell and T-cell responses.

Detailed data are being targeted for presentation at a future scientific conference.

Posted In: VBIV