VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - IMMUNOPRECISE
ANTIBODIES LTD. ("IPA") (TSXV: IPA) (IPATD: IPA) (FSE: TQB), a
leader in full-service, therapeutic antibody discovery and
development and LiteVax BV (Oss, the
Netherlands), today announced the nomination of a lead
vaccine for further (pre-) clinical evaluation and development
based on results from their collaborative preclinical
immunogenicity study. IPA and LiteVax selected the vaccine
candidate following an assessment of the immunogenicity profiles of
multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates, each having an empirically
designed, single SARS-CoV-2 spike protein segment, in non-rodent
species. Using IPA's extensive data sets, candidates were screened
and optimized to maximize the inclusion of functional, antigenic,
epitopes while simultaneously minimizing the total foreign epitope
exposure, thereby potentially reducing long-term, negative side
effects.
Immunization of swine with a low dose of the selected candidate
resulted in significant serum reactivities towards the SARS-CoV-2
spike protein segment. Furthermore, select formulations were
adjuvanted with LiteVax's novel class of carbohydrate
derivative-based adjuvant to evaluate the potential benefit of
co-formulation. When compared to non-adjuvant formulations, the
combination with LiteVax's adjuvant induced substantially higher
immune responses. No adverse effects were observed for any of the
treatment groups. This study was held at IRTA, (Catalonia,
Spain) and supported by TRANSVAC2,
a vaccine research and development (R&D) infrastructure that
aims to accelerate the development of safe, effective and
affordable vaccines (EC-funded project, grant agreement N°
730964).
"We are inspired by the positive results from our initial
preclinical studies evaluating the potential of PolyTope therapies
as single-low-dose vaccines for diseases such as SARS-Cov-2. In
these studies, our newly selected vaccine formulation demonstrated
significant antibody responses towards the full SARS-Cov-2 spike
timer following a single injection, an effect that was enhanced
through co-formulation with LiteVax's adjuvant," stated Ilse
Roodink, Global Project Lead for the Company's Coronavirus
programs. "By leveraging a data-driven approach to the design of
the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, we are able to minimize unnecessary
exposure while optimizing efficacy and are confident that we are
nominating the best possible candidate from this study for
continued development. We look forward to progressing this
partnership and to continuing to learn about the potential of this
unique collaboration to provide a safe, effective, vaccine for
at-need patients.
Viral neutralization potency screening of the induced immune
responses is scheduled for January. IPA and LiteVax also anticipate
initiating additional, parallel preclinical studies to evaluate the
durability and efficacy of immune responses in large non-rodents in
more detail, as well as in a SARS-CoV-2 Syrian hamster model.
About TRANSVAC
TRANSVAC2 is a European vaccine
research and development (R&D) infrastructure that aims to
accelerate the development of safe, effective and affordable
vaccines that shall be one of the most successful and
cost-effective public health tools for disease prevention. However,
vaccine development is time-consuming and complex, requiring a
combination of specialized skills and technical capacities not
readily available within a single organization. In order to
facilitate access to these skills and capacities, and to promote
collaborations in the European vaccine landscape, TRANSVAC2 offers
high quality technical services across four different service
platforms: Technology (for process development and GMP production),
Immunocorrelates & Systems Biology, Animal models, and support
for Clinical Trials.
TRANSVAC2 has received funding from the European Union's Horizon
2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement N°
730964.
About LiteVax
LiteVax BV is a Dutch biopharmaceutical
SME with the mission to impact global health by developing and
exploiting novel immunoadjuvants to increase vaccine efficacy. New
and more effective vaccines against a wide range of infectious
diseases are needed as evidenced by the recent outbreaks. For
further information, please contact luukhilgers@litevax.com.
About IRTA
IRTA is a research institute dedicated to
agro-alimentary R&D&I within the areas of vegetal and
animal production, agri-food industries, environment and global
change, and economy. Transfer of IRTA scientific advances
contribute to modernity, competitivity and sustainable development
within the agrarian, food and fishery sectors, provision of healthy
food for consumers and the improvement of human welfare. IRTA is
ascribed to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and
Food (DARP) of the Catalan Government. http://www.irta.cat/en/
About ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.
ImmunoPrecise is a
global technology platform company with end-to-end solutions
empowering companies to discover and develop therapies against any
disease. The Company's experience and cutting-edge technologies
enable unparalleled support of its partners in their quest to bring
innovative treatments to the clinic. ImmunoPrecise's full-service
capabilities dramatically reduce the time required for, and the
inherent risk associated with, conventional multi-vendor product
development. For further information, visit
www.immunoprecise.com or contact
solutions@immunoprecise.com.
About IPA's SARS Polytope™ Therapies
Monoclonal
antibodies were derived from several animal species, including
humans, llama, rabbits and transgenic OmniAb® (humanized) animals
to access a broad epitope coverage. IPA exploits multiple antibody
formats, valency, and size to select antibodies against
multiple/rare epitopes. In a global effort involving its scientists
in North America and Europe, IPA has now developed a rich and
diverse discovery portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 candidate antibodies
yielding epitope and functional diversity.
Forward Looking Information
This news release
contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of
historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company
uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely",
"expect", "believe", "intend", "should" and similar expressions to
identify forward-looking statements and include the Company's
beliefs with respect to the potential for its antibodies to be
further developed or approved to treat COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2)
or to complete any transactions with respect to those
antibodies. Any such forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions and analyses made by ImmunoPrecise in light of its
experience and its perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments. However, whether
actual results and developments will conform to ImmunoPrecise's
expectations and predictions is subject to any number of risks,
assumptions and uncertainties. Many factors could cause
ImmunoPrecise's actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in
this news release. Such factors include, among other things, actual
revenues and earnings for IPA being lower than anticipated, and
those risks and uncertainties described in ImmunoPrecise's annual
management discussion and analysis for the previous quarter ended
July 31st, 2020 which can be accessed
at www.sedar.com. The "forward-looking statements"
contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release
and, unless required by applicable law, ImmunoPrecise undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise such information, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release. SOURCE ImmunoPrecise Antibodies
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