Ichor Medical Systems (Ichor) and Profectus Biosciences (Profectus) have entered into a long-term development, license and supply agreement providing Profectus with commercial access to Ichor’s TriGrid Delivery System (TriGrid) for the clinical development of its DNA vaccine programs, with an option for Ichor to co-develop.
In an earlier clinical study, Ichor’s TriGrid was shown to enhance immune responses to DNA vaccination in human subjects compared to conventional injection.
Ichor claimed that its TriGrid, as an automated, push-button electroporation system, minimises operator error and ensures safe and reproducible administration of DNA, thereby supporting the development and commercialisation of DNA-based products.
John Eldridge, chief scientific officer of Profectus, said: “We are excited to be entering into the clinic using Ichor’s TriGrid delivery system for the delivery of our DNA vaccines both alone, and in prime/boost combination with our rVSV vaccine vector. Profectus has made significant clinical progress in advancing our vaccine programs using this multi-pronged approach.
‘We believe that by combining our proprietary DNA vaccine technology with novel molecular adjuvants, improved formulation and a powerful delivery system, Profectus will overcome the previous challenges of efficiently delivering DNA vaccines in-vivo.”
Bob Bernard, CEO of Ichor, said: “We are delighted to be working with the experienced team at Profectus and believe this Agreement further validates the utility of our TriGrid technologies for a variety of DNA vaccine approaches. We are pleased to provide our enabling TriGrid technology to Profectus for clinical delivery of its ProfectusVAX portfolio of DNA vaccines.”