Althea Wins Vaccine Contract

Althea Technologies has been awarded a cGMP manufacturing contract to produce a DNA-based HIV-1 vaccine. The contract, awarded by Advanced BioScience Laboratories, Inc. (ABL), is under a master agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The $911,549 in funding for Althea’s production of the vaccine is provided in its entirety by the NIAID and NIH. The contract will support Althea’s efforts for plasmid DNA process development, vaccine production, purification, and regulatory documentation.

The company contends that plasmid DNA vaccines are an attractive alternative to traditional production methods because the vaccines produced are noninfectious, and the manufacturing processes are straightforward and economical. The other significant benefit of this production method is a shelf-life appropriate for public health programs.

Under the NIH multi-year contract managed by ABL for preclinical development and production of this vaccine, Althea will be supporting a larger vaccine development program which is part of an international effort to combat AIDS. This NIAID funded effort is in conjunction with the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI).

Dr. Magda Marquet, Althea’s co-president and co-chief executive officer, remarked, “We are delighted that Althea was chosen by Advanced BioScience Laboratories and the National Institutes of Health to produce this new type of DNA HIV-1 vaccine. AIDS is a devastating world pandemic and it is our hope that utilizing this new innovative technology will make a positive difference in this fight.”