This past week at the 5th Vaccine and ISV Annual Global Congress in Seattle, Coridon Pty Ltd and their major investor Allied Healthcare Group, presented results from their pioneering DNA vaccine against herpes simplex virus 2. The astounding results of their pre-clinical efficacy study showed that the vaccine was 100% effective in protecting animals against the virus. Coridon now plans to progress the DNA virus program into human clinical studies, with funding from its major investor Allied Healthcare Group. Click for more information related to Allied Healthcare Group and their relationship with Coridon.
Coridon was founded in 2000 by Professor Ian Frazer who with the help of his team at Coridon and in collaboration with Professor David Koelle from the University of Washington in Seattle, was able to develop this promising DNA vaccine. The company has laboratories within the research facility at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbanem Australia. Professor Frazer has stated, “The results of our herpes vaccine mark the beginning of an exciting period.“
This DNA vaccine works differently than conventional vaccines. The DNA from the herpes simplex virus 2 is injected into the individual, and the body is then able to generate an immune response against the proteins encoded by that DNA. This enables the body to stage an effective immune defense against the full virus should it ever appear, known as prophylactic protection. DNA vaccines have an added benefit of not only offering prophylactic protection, but also potentially curing individuals currently infected by the virus. “Over the next 12 months, we expect pivotal data showing that our HSV vaccine, which incorporates Coridon optimisation technology, produces similar immune responses in the clinic to those seen in the animal trials.”
Coridon has recently secured additional funding from Allied Healthcare group and plans to begin the manufacturing for their pre-clinical safety studies before testing the vaccine in Phase I clinical studies. Coridon is not only developing DNA vaccines for herpes but is also developing DNA vaccines for the prevention and treatment for a range of infectious diseases and cancers in humans.
