Lead Candidate VBI-1501A is a Developmental Vaccine for CMV Infection
Report Available here: http://www.lifescicapital.com/equity-research/vbi-vaccines/
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2014 / LifeSci Capital, LLC, a research-driven investment bank with deep domain expertise in the life sciences sector, today announced that it has initiated coverage of VBI Vaccines (NasdaqCM: VBIV), an innovative development stage biotechnology company using proprietary enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) technology to develop a prophylactic vaccine against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV infection is the leading cause of birth defects and poses significant health risks for immunocompromised patients. VBI Vaccines is addressing this unmet medical need with a prophylactic vaccine against CMV, VBI-1501A, based on the proprietary eVLP technology. Preclinical results have generated promising safety and strong immunogenicity data and the Company plans to initiate a Phase I trial in the fourth quarter of 2015.
"With no presently approved prophylactic treatments and several clinical programs faltering in early stages of development, there is a large market opportunity for an effective CMV vaccine," said Jerry Isaacson, Ph.D., Director of Research at LifeSci Capital. "VBI's CMV vaccine candidate may also be used to vaccinate immunocompromised individuals including transplant and AIDS patients, as CMV is the cause or a contributing factor to many life-threatening conditions and diseases in these individuals. An approved CMV vaccine would address an approximately $2 billion per year target market."
VBI has generated preclinical data demonstrating that its vaccine candidate induces immunity in vivo superior to natural infection by CMV, which affords approximately 90% protection against CMV infection, as measured by neutralizing antibody titers. In addition, this preclinical data shows that VBI's candidate has superior immunogenicity compared to competing vaccine candidates using natural immunity as a common benchmark, which may translate into greater potency and efficacy in humans. The eVLP platform can readily be adapted for use in the development of other vaccines by switching the target protein that is expressed on the surface of eVLPs. VBI intends to validate the platform first with the development of a prophylactic CMV vaccine and then pursue additional indications with global unmet needs.
In a 29 page Initiation Report LifeSci Capital explains the development pathway for VBI-1501A as a CMV vaccine and the scientific rationale behind the eVLP technology platform. The report highlights extensive preclinical data supporting the use of VBI-1501A in human patients and the planned clinical trial program. It also discusses the developing competitive landscape for potential CMV vaccines and how VBI-1501A would fit into this market.
Dr. Isaacson's full Initiation Report, including important disclosures, is available to download at no cost at the LifeSci Capital website, www.lifescicapital.com/equity-research/. In addition to this Initiation Report, LifeSci Capital intends to provide ongoing coverage and event-based research updates on VBI Vaccines as developments occur.
The LifeSci Capital research team is led by Dr. Isaacson, an industry veteran with broad experience in biotechnology, having worked in both public and private biotech companies in areas ranging from medicinal chemistry and analytical chemistry to patents and investor/public relations. Dr. Isaacson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Harvard University and received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California in San Diego.
About LifeSci Capital:
LifeSci Capital (Member: FINRA/SIPC) is a research-driven investment bank with deep domain expertise in the life sciences. Our service model as a boutique investment bank is unique in that we exclusively serve emerging life science companies that discover, develop, and commercialize innovative products. We view our clients as our partners, and we work closely with them to establish and execute their capital markets strategies. Our broadly-distributed equity research product is differentiated and provides a deep understanding of our clients' businesses and the opportunities they are addressing. To learn more about LifeSci Capital, visit the company's website, www.lifescicapital.com.
Analyst Contact:
Jerry Isaacson
Phone: (646) 597-6991
Email: jisaacson@lifescicapital.com
SOURCE: LifeSci Capital