13 September 2018 - - US-based biotechnology vaccines developer TechnoVax, Inc has received a two-year USD 1.481m SBIR-II grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health to support TechnoVax programme to further develop a broadly protective (universal) virus-like particle based influenza vaccine utilizing its proprietary and patented VLP technology, the company said.

Preliminary efficacy studies performed in animals have shown very high levels of cross-reactive protection.

Influenza is a major respiratory infectious disease of global reach that affects all demographics and imposes a heavy public health and economic burden.

Development of a universal vaccine able to promote immunity that blocks the constantly changing seasonal flu viruses and potentially emerging pandemic strains over time is the most sought outcome to mitigate and even halt the impact of influenza. TechnoVax has been engaged in the mission of creating a universal flu vaccine for many years.

TechnoVax' VLP technology is a novel way to produce vaccines against dangerous viruses as VLPs contain no infectious material and are highly immunogenic.

TechnoVax' VLP vaccine technology uses a rapid, safer and more effective cell-based system for development and production, reducing the time and costs of more traditional vaccine production systems.

The VLP vaccine technology is one of the most advanced technologies in the vaccine field. TechnoVax is presently evaluating in preclinical phase vaccines to protect against viral infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, flavivirus and others.

TechnoVax is a privately held biotechnology company based in Westchester County, NY and specializes in vaccine development using its unique and innovative VLP platform technology.

The company is committed to develop safe and highly effective novel vaccines to address significant unmet medical needs of global impact.