annual report 2007 - Pevion Biotech AG

2007 ANNUAL REPORT 12
P E V I P R O TM R S V V A C C I N E
Pevion Biotech is developing its prophylactic RSV vaccine based on its
proprietary PeviPRO TM technology platform. In 2006 the RSV vaccine was
further developed and reached preclinical development in 2007.
New in 2007: Start of CTI-sponsored collaboration for the development
of a fusion protein based RSV vaccine
In 2007 Pevion Biotech started collaboration with Professor Florian Wurm,
PhD at EPFL, Lausanne and Professor Christiane Zaborosch , PhD at ZHAW
on the development of a recombinant RSV vaccine based on the fusion
protein of the virus. The recombinant production of the F-protein is achieved
by transient transfection of mammalian cells in the laboratory of Florian
Wurm, an expert in this technology with a lot of experience in transient
expression of various genes. The recombinant protein has proven to be
processed similarly to the viral protein and could be purified by the
protective mAb Synagis, demonstrating proper processing and folding of the
corresponding epitope of the protein, respectively. Immunization of mice
with virosomes carrying the rec. RSV F displayed on the surface induced
antibodies that were able to inhibit the viral infection in vivo to a similar
extent as the viral protein. Purification of the F protein by affinity
chromatography is not suitable for large scale production, thus, an
alternative purification method based on exchange and hydrophobic
interaction has been developed in the laboratory of Christiane Zaborosch.
This material is used for challenge experiments in cotton rats, which were
started in December 2007.
Need of a RSV vaccine
Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is traditionally regarded as a
pediatric illness, it also causes pulmonary disease in the elderly, particularly
those with underlying heart and lung disease, and in immunocompromised
bone marrow recipients. Even though there is a tremendous need, no
vaccine is yet available. RSV vaccine development is hampered by a number
of obstacles, especially the risk of inducing enhanced illness.
P E V I P R O TM M A L A R I A V A C C I N E
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has a complex life cycle
involving three stages in the human body. Pevion Biotech is therefore
focusing on a multicomponent (multivalent) malaria vaccine: Each
component targets another antigen specific to a defined development
stage. Pevion Biotech uses its well-established virosome technology platform
PeviPRO TM for the delivery of the newly developed peptide antigens into the
human body. In subsequent steps the company has developed the vaccine
formulations to clinical development.
New in 2007: Clinical Phase IIa with the two-component malaria vaccine
candidate
A Clinical Phase IIa study was completed in 2006, and the final analysis was
available 2007. Although the vaccinated volunteers did not show sterile
protection against the strong artificial challenge, the data demonstrated
inhibitory effects of the vaccination on the development of the parasite.
Parasites numbers within the blood were significantly lower after vaccination,
and the number of parasites leaving the liver also showed a tendency to
Pevion_Biotech_annual_report_2007.doc