Pipeline

VLP's pipeline covers a broad spectrum of diseases including malaria, human and avian influenza, HCV, cancer, lipid disorders (i.e. atherosclerosis, obesity), Alzheimer's disease, and various allergies.

Malaria

Our lead candidate is a malaria vaccine which is based on the neutralizing circumsporozite repeat sequence known to be protective against malaria. Studies with this vaccine reiterate our carrier's potential to raise far greater antibody levels than possible with other carriers. Given the success of these studies, we plan to proceed with more complex animal models and establish proof of principal. With positive data from these experiments we anticipate submitting an IND and starting a Phase I clinical trial in late 2009.

Influenza

VLP's second candidate is an M2-based human influenza vaccine that offers long-term protection against all type A flu strains, eliminating the need for annual immunizations. Preliminary studies have already demonstrated protection in animal models. Pre-clinical development continues with the intent to begin a Phase I clinical trial in early 2010.

HCV

A panel of VLPs in pre-clinical development that target consensus epitopes from the E2 protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) raise high titer antibodies. Furthermore, a single epitope has shown potent cross-neutralization of two different HCV genotypes. Given the progress of this project we anticipate Phase I clinical trials to begin sometime in early 2011.