Vical's DNA vaccine protects against avian flu in animal studies

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., May 2 - Studies conducted at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital showed that Vical Inc.'s lead three-component influenza DNA vaccine candidate provided 100% protection in mice and ferrets against lethal challenges with a highly virulent (Vietnam/1203/2004) H5N1 avian influenza virus.

All vaccinated animals in the study survived while those receiving the control did not survive. The lead DNA vaccine candidate also prevented weight loss in all animals, suggesting it may also protect against serious flu-related sickness as well as death.

Vical said simplified versions of its vaccine candidate using only two of the three components provided high levels of protection against multiple human flu strains and against the H5N1 avian flu strain in earlier studies.

Based on the latest results, Vical is working toward human testing of the pandemic flu DNA vaccine candidate.

The DNA vaccine's ability to achieve cross-protection, targeting two conserved flu virus proteins and H5 is important in addressing a pandemic flu threat where viruses can mutate prior to being spread, officials said.

San Diego-based Vical develops biopharmaceutical products based on its patented DNA delivery technologies.

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