GeoVax Labs says the malaria vaccine it is developing with Leidos could achieve efficacy levels called for by the WHO. US firms GeoVax and Leidos agreed to develop a P. falciparum vaccine in March, expanding on an R&D partnership they formed last November. Under the deal, GeoVax will make a vaccine able to deliver DNA coding for parasite proteins. Cells ‘infected’ by the vaccine will express the proteins, provoking an immune response. Leidos spokeswoman Erin Tindell told us the DNA…
Orchard Therapeutics says it is launching a cryopreserved formulation of its lead candidates to overcome the limitations of fresh hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies. Orchard Therapeutics’ pipeline includes Strimvelis, the former GSK autologous ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy approved by the EMA in 2016, along with five clinical stage programs. The firm launched its initial public offering (IPO) last year and in its first public year-end financial conference call last week spoke of the potential upcoming milestones…
CytoDyn has contracted Samsung BioLogics to produce the drug substance for its candidate leronlimab and says it will need at least two CMOs once the HIV inhibitor is approved. CytoDyn’s lead candidate leronlimab (PRO 140) has demonstrated antiviral activity and shown to significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV in Phase II clinical trials. The fully humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody blocks the predominant HIV (R5) subtype entry into T-cells by masking the required co-receptor, CCR5. The firm has…