Research programme: viral vaccines - Pharos Biologicals
Latest Information Update: 04 Sep 2023
At a glance
- Originator Pharos Biologicals
- Class DNA vaccines; Influenza virus vaccines; Viral vaccines
- Mechanism of Action Immunostimulants
-
Orphan Drug Status
No
Orphan designation is assigned by a regulatory body to encourage companies to develop drugs for rare diseases.
- New Molecular Entity No
Highest Development Phases
- Discontinued Dengue; Influenza virus infections; Zika virus infection
Most Recent Events
- 04 Sep 2023 Discontinued - Preclinical for Zika virus infection in USA (unspecified route)
- 04 Sep 2023 Discontinued for Dengue in USA (unspecified route)
- 04 Sep 2023 Discontinued for Influenza virus infections in USA (unspecified route)
Development Overview
Introduction
Pharos Biologicals was developing vaccines for the prevention of flavivirus and influenza infections, using Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's proprietary lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP) DNA vaccine technology and other nano technologies. Preclinical research for Zika virus infection was ongoing in the US, with early research underway for dengue and influenza infections. However, as at September 2023, it appears that development has been discontinued for prevention of Zika virus infections, dengue and influenza virus infections in the US.
The LAMP technology utilized normal cellular mechanisms to enhance the immune response to the vaccine, which was comprised of antigen protein sequences that were encoded as an antigen/LAMP chimera construct. The LAMP DNA vaccine was not a live virus vaccine, had a more rapid development timeline, delivered the pathogen antigen directly to cell proteins that brought about immunological responses, and was highly stable.
Company Agreements
In May 2016, Pharos Biologicals received exclusive worldwide license for a patented Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein (LAMP) DNA vaccine technology and other nanotechnologies from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed [1] .
Key Development Milestones
As of September 2023, development of viral vaccines for the prevention of Zika virus infections, dengue and influenza virus infections seems to be discontinued in USA.
Pharos Biologicals is planning to initiate a phase I clinical trial in patients with Zika virus infection, by the end of 2016 [1] [2] .
Drug Properties & Chemical Synopsis
- Formulation unspecified
- Class DNA vaccines, Influenza virus vaccines, Viral vaccines
- Mechanism of Action Immunostimulants
-
WHO ATC code
J07B (Viral Vaccines)
-
EPhMRA code
J7E (Viral Vaccines)
Development Status
Summary Table
| Indication | Qualifier | Patient Segment | Phase | Countries | Route / Formulation | Developers | Event Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dengue | - | - | Discontinued (Research) | USA | unspecified / unspecified | Pharos Biologicals | 04 Sep 2023 |
| Influenza virus infections | - | - | Discontinued (Research) | USA | unspecified / unspecified | Pharos Biologicals | 04 Sep 2023 |
| Zika virus infection | - | - | Discontinued (Preclinical) | USA | unspecified / unspecified | Pharos Biologicals | 04 Sep 2023 |
Commercial Information
Involved Organisations
| Organisation | Involvement | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Pharos Biologicals | Originator | |
| Pharos Biologicals | Owner | |
| Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine | Technology Provider | USA |
Development History
| Event Date | Update Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 04 Sep 2023 | Phase Change - Discontinued(Preclinical) | Discontinued - Preclinical for Zika virus infection in USA (unspecified route) Updated 04 Sep 2023 |
| 04 Sep 2023 | Phase Change - Discontinued | Discontinued for Dengue in USA (unspecified route) Updated 04 Sep 2023 |
| 04 Sep 2023 | Phase Change - Discontinued | Discontinued for Influenza virus infections in USA (unspecified route) Updated 04 Sep 2023 |
| 28 Jun 2020 | Phase Change - No development reported | No recent reports of development identified for preclinical development in Zika-virus-infection in USA Updated 28 Jun 2020 |
| 28 Jun 2020 | Phase Change - No development reported | No recent reports of development identified for research development in Dengue in USA Updated 28 Jun 2020 |
| 28 Jun 2020 | Phase Change - No development reported | No recent reports of development identified for research development in Influenza-virus-infections in USA Updated 28 Jun 2020 |
| 02 May 2016 | Trial Update | Pharos Biologicals plans a phase I trial for Zika virus infections [1] Updated 11 May 2016 |
| 02 May 2016 | Licensing Status | Pharos Biologicals in-licenses Lysosome-Associated Membrane Protein (LAMP) DNA vaccine technology from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine [1] Updated 05 May 2016 |
| 02 May 2016 | Phase Change | Early research in Dengue and Influenza virus infections in USA (unspecified route) [1] Updated 05 May 2016 |
| 02 May 2016 | Phase Change - Preclinical | Preclinical trials in Zika virus infection in USA (unspecified route) [1] Updated 05 May 2016 |
References
-
Pharos Biologicals Conducting Tests of a Novel Zika Vaccine.
Media Release -
Phase 1 study of Zika vaccine in patients with zika infection
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