GeoVax to Collaborate with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory On Development of Lassa Fever Biosensors


Atlanta, GA, Dec. 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTCQB: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing human vaccines, announced today that it is collaborating with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (USNRL) to develop high-quality antibodies useful for detection of Lassa virus (LASV), and potentially as a treatment for Lassa Fever (LF).

Lassa Fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by LASV. The U.S. Department of Defense has an interest in the early detection of the presence of LASV to better protect and treat troops that may be in areas where exposure may occur. Development of high quality antibodies useful for detection applications requires a high-quality vaccine. Currently, GeoVax’s LASV vaccine (GEO-LM01) represents the state of the art and is the best starting point for USNRL’s efforts to develop single domain antibodies that recognize LASV with high affinity and specificity. USNRL will utilize the GeoVax vaccine to immunize llamas, whose immune systems are uniquely suited for rapid and cost-effective production of single domain antibodies suitable for use in biosensor applications.

Farshad Guirakhoo, PhD, GeoVax’s Chief Scientific Officer, stated, “We are pleased to be working with Drs. Ellen Goldman and George Anderson at the USNRL on diagnostics and potential therapeutic aspects of our GEO-LM01 vaccine, as these are complementary to our ongoing collaborations with The Scripps Research Institute and the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland Medical School for development of a preventive vaccine against Lassa Fever. GEO-LM01, has demonstrated single-dose 100% protection in a mouse challenge model, and is an excellent choice for inducing the specialized antibodies needed for an effective LASV biosensor. Single domain antibodies are an affordable version of monoclonal antibodies, can be produced in bacteria or yeasts in high quantities, can penetrate tissues rapidly, are able to cross blood brain barriers, and are resistant to extreme pH and temperature, making them ideal for biosensor applications and also potentially useful for development of therapies for LASV infections.”

About Lassa Virus

LASV, a member of the Arenavirus family, causes severe and often fatal hemorrhagic illnesses in West Africa, a region recently associated with a devastating Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak. The virus is transmitted to humans by infected Mastomys rats, either by direct consumption, contact with contaminated feces or urine, or through contact with body fluids of an infected person. About 80% of people who are infected with LASV have no symptoms or have symptoms that are similar to other hemorrhagic illnesses such as EBOV and Marburg (MARV) or malaria. Without early specific detection and treatment, 1 in 5 infections can lead to severe disease and death. In contrast to the unpredictable epidemics of filoviruses such as EBOV and MARV, LASV is endemic in West Africa with an annual incidence of over 300,000, and leading to 5,000 to 10,000 deaths. Recent study data suggests that the number of annual LASV infections cases may in fact be significantly higher, with three million infections and 67,000 deaths (placing upwards of 200 million individuals at risk). Today, no specific treatment or vaccine is available to stem LASV epidemics, even though LASV kills more people in one year than the EBOV did in the last 41 years after its first epidemic in 1976 in West Africa. For more information about LASV, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/lassa/index.html.

About GeoVax

GeoVax Labs, Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing human vaccines against infectious diseases using its MVA-VLP vaccine platform. The Company’s HIV vaccine for the clade B epidemic in the Americas, Australia, Japan and Europe is advancing in human trials conducted by the HVTN. Preclinical programs are focused on preventive vaccines for Zika virus, hemorrhagic fever viruses (Ebola, Sudan, Marburg, and Lassa), and malaria, as well as therapeutic vaccines for HIV, chronic Hepatitis B infections and cancers. GeoVax’s vaccine platform supports in vivo production of non-infectious virus-like particles (VLPs) from the cells of the very person receiving the vaccine, mimicking a natural infection and effectively stimulating both the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system to recognize, prevent, and control the target infection. For more information, visit www.geovax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether:  GeoVax can develop and manufacture its vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax's vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax's vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax’s vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete vaccine development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax's products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control. GeoVax assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so. More information about these factors is contained in GeoVax's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those set forth at "Risk Factors" in GeoVax's Form 10-K.



            

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