Local start-up company Agilvax, Inc., headquartered in Albuquerque and commercializing a virus-like particle (VLP) technology platform developed by UNM researchers Dr. David Peabody and Dr. Bryce Chackerian, announced that it is subcontracting with global science and technology company Leidos to develop a malaria vaccine based on the VLP technology. Leidos supports biomedical research as part of its mission and has contracted with the US Agency for International Development to create a malaria vaccine that will be more effective than other vaccines under development. To read more, see the Agilvax press release, reprinted below.
Agilvax Awarded Subcontract by Leidos to Develop a Malaria Vaccine
Albuquerque, NM, November 17, 2016 – Agilvax, Inc., today announced that it has been awarded a subcontract from Leidos valued at approximately $400,000 for the screening and development of a potential epitope-based malaria vaccine candidate.
Agilvax has a proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) platform technology that has been utilized to develop several vaccine and cancer stem cell immunotherapy candidates. Agilvax is excited and proud to work with Leidos on the development of a cost-effective and efficacious vaccine against malaria. Under this subcontract, Agilvax will conduct and oversee research and development projects initiated by Leidos to support the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Malaria Vaccine Development Program’s (MVDP) continued effort to develop a malaria vaccine.
The subcontract is funded under Leidos ‘ USAID MVDP contract in which Leidos will support vaccine research efforts and evaluations in the preclinical, clinical and field stages of development. Malaria is a major public health problem with nearly half of the world’s population living in impacted areas. Thus, development of a malaria vaccine with improved efficacy and duration over current vaccines in development is paramount to combat this disease. Leidos seeks to expand on the collaborative relationship with Agilvax where a promising vaccine candidate using Agilvax’s VLP platform was previously developed (Ord et al 2014).
About Agilvax
Agilvax is a biotechnology company that is developing targeted vaccines and cancer stem cell immunotherapies based on a proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) platform technology. The technology integrates epitope identification and immunogenic presentation in a single platform. The Company was founded in 2011 and has headquarters in Albuquerque, NM and offices in El Paso, TX. For more information, visit www.agilvax.com.
About Leidos
Leidos is a global science and technology solutions leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company’s 33,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported pro forma annual revenues of approximately $10 billion for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2016 after giving effect to the recently completed combination of Leidos with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business (IS&GS). For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.