Benzinga | Mar 24, 2021 08:09AM EDT

Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Data From Animal Testing Of HaloVax Self-Assembling Vaccine For COVID-19, Which Is Being Developed In Conjunction With Hoth Therapeutics

Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. today announced positive data from its second set of preclinical animal testing of its HaloVax(tm) Self-Assembling Vaccine (SAV) against COVID-19. This study investigated an updated construct, based on initial testing as well as recent scientific developments, in order to identify the best balance of immune responses for prevention of this pandemic pathogen. HaloVax is being developed in conjunction with Hoth Therapeutics, Inc (NASDAQ:HOTH).



The vaccine is built on a base of a heat shock protein (HSP70)-Avidin fusion protein that activates the cellular component of the immune system; this is different from most other vaccine efforts, which have used adjuvants such as alum. The second portion of the vaccine consists of peptides derived from understanding of the COVID-19 virus, which are bound to the heat shock protein via its Avidin component and Biotin added to each string of virus targeting peptides. This enables rapid iteration and up-to-date data informed changes in the peptide sequences to enable swift production and accommodate potential changes in the pathogen itself. The selected immunogenic peptides complete the customized COVID-19 vaccine.

The current study consisted of a full near GLP preclinical mouse study evaluating whether the self- assembling vaccine, consisting of the immune activating MTBhsp70-avidin component and antigen targeting biotinylated immunogenic peptides, increased the immune response relative to controls or peptides alone.

Results demonstrated that the self-assembling vaccine construct did indeed significantly increase both helper and cytotoxic T cell responses to the vaccine targeted antigens compared to controls. This proof of concept for the SAV platform is critical to both the COVID-19 program as well as the oncology application of this cutting-edge technology. Development of both applications is ongoing.

Dr. Mark Poznansky, Director, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) stated, "The positive results seen in this study sets the stage for our preclinical rodent vaccine -- challenge study where we dose the rodents with the self-assembling vaccine platform to immunize against COVID-19 and then challenge with the live virus. Further, given the similarity of the immune targeting approach in this COVID study to that intended for our cancer treatment program, these data increase our confidence in the prospects for effectively treating selected cancers in future studies."

The vaccine is currently in development by HaloVax, LLC a biopharmaceutical company and special purpose subsidiary of Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. The company was established to advance an application of VaxCelerate, the SAV platform licensed from the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) specifically for the rapid development of safe and effective vaccines against emerging pathogens including COVID-19 and specific types of cancer. The VaxCelerate platform was developed to improve patient outcomes by activating and targeting the immune system to identify and destroy the infectious agent. Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. has acquired an exclusive worldwide license to this technology from MGH.

"We continue to be pleased with the significant advances in the design, manufacture and testing of HaloVax, as we continue the development and, potentially, deployment of a vaccine that will not only prevent disease, but will offer safe administration with a strong, broad immune response," said Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer, Voltron Therapeutics, Inc. "These encouraging results are not only good for our COVID-19 efforts, but have applicability to oncology as well. Today's announcement of this successful preclinical testing is expected to help rapidly drive us toward clinical trials in humans, bringing us closer to a potentially proven and effective vaccine to help prevent infection and COVID-19 related disease."

James Ahern, Founding Partner, Laidlaw Venture Partners added, "We are in a very exciting time of growth for Laidlaw Venture Partner's portfolio companies. The successful trial result for HaloVax announced today is another testament to the quality of the companies we continue to incubate and the unique investment opportunities they present our clients. We will continue to fully vet new opportunities moving forward, focusing on our ability to add value for our companies and investors."