Technology

VLP's technology is based on extensive research conducted by our founders at VRISD and VCU. VLP's principle technology is a vaccine carrier platform based on the highly immunogenic hepatitis virus core protein. This virus-like particle technology represents a major advancement in medicine because it generates higher levels of therapeutic antibodies compared to conventional vaccines and thus elicits stronger immune responses. This allows us to achieve successful clinical outcomes with fewer immunizations than those required by other prophylactic vaccines and has the potential to replace cumbersome passive monoclonal antibody treatment. By shortening the treatment cycle we will be better able to control trial costs as well as improve patient compliance. Reducing the number of immunizations also mitigates the risks associated with longer treatment courses and increases the likelihood of a successful clinical outcome.

Another significant advantage of the VLP carrier technology is that our vaccines are produced using cell-based rather than egg-based methods. This is a considerable advantage as highlighted by the quality issues encountered by Chiron in the fall of 2004. In this case, Chiron was not able to quickly recover from their contamination problems because their flu vaccine is manufactured using antiquated egg-based methods that require months of lead-in time. All VLP vaccines however can be manufactured using state of the art cellular-based techniques that are far more adaptable to changes in demand than the egg-based method.

VLP's technology represents a significant value for investors because it functions as a carrier rather than as individual, unrelated products. This formulation flexibility has enabled us to establish an extensive product portfolio including vaccines for human and avian influenza, malaria, HCV, Alzheimer’s disease, lipid disorders (i.e. atherosclerosis, obesity), and allergies. VLP also has first rights of refusal for all future VRISD vaccines including current programs in cancer and hepatitis C virus. It is significant to note that because there are no vaccines currently available for any of these indications, VLP should be able to obtain orphan drug status for these products and expedite their clinical development. In the long-term, the flexibility of our carrier technology and our strong relationship with VRISD will ensure the breadth of our pipeline necessary for continuous growth.