Vical's West Nile virus DNA vaccine produces neutralizing antibodies in phase 1 trial

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., June 1 - Vical, Inc. announced that in a phase 1 clinical trial, a West Nile virus vaccine candidate administered using Vical's proprietary DNA delivery technology was safe and well-tolerated and produced neutralizing antibody WNV-specific responses in all 11 healthy volunteers who returned for follow-up testing after completing the three-dose vaccination schedule.

The vaccine used in the phase 1 trial contained a single plasmid (closed loop of DNA) encoding precursor membrane and envelope proteins from the West Nile virus.

Fifteen subjects were enrolled and 12 completed the vaccination schedule, which consisted of three 4 mg doses of vaccine at one-month intervals via intramuscular needle-free injection, according to a news release.

Vical has secured a license from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for technology used in the vaccine, the release said.

Located in San Diego, Vical researches and develops biopharmaceutical products.

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