Evaxion reports positive preclinical results for CMV vaccine EVX-V1

Evaxion Biotech A/S, a clinical-stage TechBio company specializing in AI-Immunology™ powered vaccines, has announced promising new preclinical data from its ongoing cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine program, EVX-V1. This data will be showcased at the 9th International Conference on Vaccines Research & Development in Boston, USA.

The preclinical results highlight that the antigens identified using Evaxion’s AI-Immunology™ platform effectively trigger targeted immune responses, inducing both CMV reactive B and T cells. To augment the vaccine's effectiveness, Evaxion has also developed a proprietary prefusion glycoprotein B (gB) antigen, a well-known component in CMV vaccines for partial virus neutralization. The new data confirms that Evaxion’s proprietary gB antigen successfully provoked a targeted immune response comparable to the conventional gB antigen.

Based on these findings, Evaxion plans to combine AI-Immunology™ identified CMV vaccine antigens with their proprietary prefusion gB antigen in a future vaccine candidate. This innovative multi-target approach is distinct from traditional methods that focus on a limited set of glycoproteins involved in viral entry. By attacking the virus from multiple angles, the efficacy of the future vaccine is expected to be enhanced.

The new data was generated in collaboration with ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies, as part of a research partnership initiated in December 2022. The antigens identified through Evaxion’s AI-Immunology™ platform have been produced using ExpreS2ion’s proprietary ExpreS2™ technology.

“We are pleased with the positive outcomes of the initial preclinical studies in our CMV vaccine program, demonstrating our AI-Immunology™ platform’s ability to identify novel antigens to combat viral diseases. These encouraging data bring us one step closer to developing an effective CMV vaccine. Our AI-Immunology™ platform enables a novel and broader approach to tackling CMV, and we look forward to presenting the findings at the conference and engaging in discussions with virology experts,” said Birgitte Rønø, Chief Scientific Officer of Evaxion.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widespread infection transmitted through body fluids. About 1 in 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection, and the virus infects approximately 60% to 70% of adults in developed countries, with nearly 100% prevalence in developing economies. Despite extensive research, no CMV vaccine has been approved to date. CMV can cause severe health problems, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, including organ transplant patients, and congenitally infected babies may suffer from intellectual disabilities and loss of vision and hearing.

The CMV treatment market was valued at $474.6 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.6% between 2024 and 2032. This growth is driven by increasing awareness and prevalence of CMV infection and the development of new and effective treatments.

Evaxion Biotech A/S is dedicated to transforming patients’ lives by providing innovative and targeted treatment options. Their AI-Immunology™ platform utilizes artificial intelligence to decode the human immune system and develop novel immunotherapies for cancer, bacterial diseases, and viral infections. Evaxion's pipeline includes a clinical-stage oncology program of personalized vaccines and a preclinical infectious disease program targeting bacterial and viral diseases with high unmet medical needs.