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Market: TSXV
Sector: Pharmaceuticals
EPIC: MDG
Medicago
www.medicago.com/en

Medicago is developing VLP vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, using a transient expression system which produces recombinant vaccine antigens in non-transgenic plants.

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Medicago unveils positive results of initial studies for rabies vaccine

19th Jan 2012, 10:42 am by Brad Lemaire
Medicago unveils positive results of initial studies for rabies vaccine

Medicago (TSE:MDG), a clinical-stage biotech company, said Thursday it has successfully finished initial studies earmarked for the development of a new virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine for rabies.

According to initial results, the rabies vaccine revealed that two doses of one or four micrograms had induced protective levels of neutralizing anti-bodies in a mouse model.

Medicago said it expects to move ahead with good manufacturing process, or GMP, development, and a good laboratory practices (GLP) toxicology study this year, followed by a phase 1 clinical trial.

"The rabies virus is a significant problem, particularly in Asia, where current vaccines present challenges to access due to availability and cost, which we believe our VLP vaccine could address," chief executive Andrew Sheldon said in a statement.

"We see significant potential for our technologies in the development of VLP vaccines and biosimilars."

The company, which is Quebec-based, has worked on its pipeline over the past year to expand on the applications of its virus like particle technology for new vaccine targets.

Rabies is spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain, where it causes inflammation. Symptoms may include anxiety, drooling, convulsions and exaggerated sensation at the bite site.

The actual time between infection and when an individual gets sick ranges from 10 days to seven years. The average incubation period is three to seven weeks, the company said.

About 55,000 people die from rabies each year, mainly in Asia and Africa, according to the World Health Organization.

While rabies vaccines produced in cell culture are currently available, there is limited access in many geographic areas and cost can be prohibitive.

More than 15 million people are vaccinated annually following exposure to the rabies virus, many through a regimen requiring four to five intra-muscular doses over three to four weeks.

Medicago is focused on making vaccines using virus like particles. Its technology is based on antigens in non-transgenic plants.

The company runs a 24,000 square foot production facility. Its plant includes a biosafety greenhouse and extraction and purification unit. The company’s products include a pandemic flu vaccine and seasonal flu vaccines.

Shares of the company traded at 60 cents each Thursday morning on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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