News

March 2009

VLP Recruits CEO and Directors

VLP Board of Directors has elected Dr. Michael Wyrsta to the board and to serve as the CEO. Dr. Wyrsta has a track record with several start-up ventures, most recently serving as a senior member of GRT, Inc. Further, the board has elected Dr. Yemi Onakunle to serve as director. Dr. Onakunle brings extensive experience in technology commercialization and business development within the biopharmaceutical industry.

January 2008

VLP Recruits Director

The VLP Board of Directors has elected Mr. Robert Blatt to serve as director on the VLP Board. Mr. Blatt contributes extensive financial experience in acquisition and credit line negotiations. He is currently the CFO of Chicken of the Sea, with gross sales in excess of $400 million.

Second Patent Issued by USPTO

VRISD has received an Issue Notification for a second patent (US 7,320,795 B2). This highly valued invention relates to the compositions and methods of comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations. Claims obtained by VRISD will be extended to VLP as part of the VRISD-VLP licensing agreement, further strengthening VLP's strong intellectual property portfolio.

November 2007

VLP Recruits Chief Scientific Officer

VLP is pleased to announce the recruitment of David C. Whitacre, Ph.D., from the UCSD Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, California. Dr. Whitacre will hold dual appointments at the VRISD as an Assistant Member and VLP Biotech as Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Whitacre's most recent work has been in the construction of chimeric genes and adenovirus vectors to use in gene therapy clinical trials. Additionally, he contributed to the on-going development of optimal infection conditions of human leukemic cells for therapeutic use in patients enrolled in cancer vaccine clinical trials.

October 2007

VRISD Receives Patent Coverage in Australia

VRISD has received notification of patent coverage of its vaccine platform technology in Australia (App. No. 2004260665). Given VLP's licensing agreement with VRISD, this further strengthens VLP's ability to exploit this exciting technology.

September 2007

VLP Receives Funding for HCV Vaccine

VLP has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research grant for $600,000 over two years. Using the vaccine platform licensed from the VRISD, this work will focus on the pre-clinical development of a prophylactic HCV vaccine.

August 2007

Tripep Surrenders All Interest in VLP

Tripep, a Swedish biotechnology research company, has surrendered, without compensation, all interest in VLP Biotech, in order to focus on other research programs.

December 2006

Patent Issued by USPTO

VRISD has received an Issue Notification for a patent filed with the USPTO in July, 2003 (US 7,144,712 B2). This patent will allow VRISD to capitalize on its methods and use of the hepatitis virus core protein as a vaccine platform. Claims obtained by VRISD will be extended to VLP as part of the VRISD-VLP licensing agreement, positioning VLP to exploit this highly desirable technology.

May 2006

VLP Continues Funding for Vaccine Development

VLP has extended a grant for vaccine development with VRISD for three additional years, through May, 2009. The terms have been modified to include development of a malaria vaccine.

May 2004

The VLP Awards Funding for Vaccine Development

VLP has awarded a grant for $303,000 to the VRISD over two years to develop new vaccines using its proprietary vaccine technology. This project will target influenza, allergies, Alzheimer's and lipid disorders.

October 2003

VLP Biotech is Formed

The VRISD has formed a new vaccine development company together with Tripep, a Swedish biotechnology research company. The new company, VLP Biotech, will be based in San Diego, California. Tripep's initial investment will be $500,000 over two years. VLP Biotech will focus on developing and commercializing proprietary virus-like particle technology owned by the VRISD.