With original operations based in The Woodlands, TX, industry recognized plasmid DNA contract manufacturer VGXI, Inc. celebrated the official Grand Opening of its new headquarters and expanded manufacturing facility in Conroe, TX. VGXI, Inc., a specialized contract developer and manufacturer (CDMO) of nucleic acid biopharmaceuticals including gene therapies, DNA vaccines, and RNA… Read More »
This is a recent article from GEN Magazine about DNA Vaccine production that also sheds light on some issues associated with the increasingly difficult task of plasmid purification. By: K. John Morrow Jr., Ph.D. Delivery, delivery, delivery is the major focus of DNA vaccine research, according to David Weiner, Ph.D., University of… Read More »
Recently, a researcher on our Linkedin DNA Vaccines group asked if any DNA vaccines have been licensed for use in humans. The short answer is no. Most DNA vaccine clinical programs are still in phase I and phase II. Currently, the only phase III trial being conducted is by San Diego-based Vical…. Read More »
Plasmids used in DNA Vaccines produce proteins that produce an immune response. Some of the earliest experiments conducted in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s demonstrated DNA uptake and gene expression by cells in regenerating muscle tissue of rodents.These experiments allowed for the term “naked DNA” to be coined by Vical in San Diego,… Read More »
Inovio Pharmaceuticals recently published the results of two HIV DNA vaccine studies. Both studies resulted in humoral immune responses, significant antigen-specific T-cell responses, and ultimately protection from the HIV virus. The first study evaluated Inovio’s HIV DNA vaccine in non-human primates (monkeys). This novel genetic vaccine was designed to target clade C… Read More »
At the recent VetHealth Global 2011 convention, Dr. Douglas Kern, DVM,VGX Animal Health’s Vice President of Business Development made an announcement regarding their results for a recent DNA Vaccine. The vaccine, VAH-5000D targets the telomerase protein TERT, and shows a strong T cell immune response for the treatment of dogs with cancer. Dave Ruslander a veterinary oncologist and… Read More »
OncoSec Medical develops and uses ElectroOncology, a combination of its electroporation delivery technology and a chemotherapeutic or novel DNA-based immunotherapeutic to destroy cancerous tumors while remarkably, sparing healthy normal tissue. After the additional evaluation of their Phase I trial to treat solid tumor cancers, OncoSec discovered that a DNA plasmid encoded to… Read More »
Dr. Bryan Byong Jin Kim, President and CEO of VGX International (“VGXI”) has been named as the “Global CEO of Korea 2010” in the biotechnology enterprise sector. President Kim was awarded the ‘Biotechnology Enterprise Sector’ Award at the “Global CEO of Korea 2010” ceremony that was held at the Millennium Hilton Hotel… Read More »
Making the Right Amount Determining the amount of plasmid to manufacture for a clinical trial is foundational to defining both a realistic budget and project time line. Because it typically takes six to eight months to manufacture a batch of plasmid under GMP, you can’t afford to underestimate how much plasmid to… Read More »
Cell membranes play critical roles as gatekeepers of the cell, their selective permeability shielding the intracellular components from the extracellular environment. Involved in functions such as cell signaling, ion conductivity, and cell adhesion, these biological membranes have evolved since the beginning of time. But will they continue to evolve? Will new proteins be introduced into… Read More »
With a multitude of successful trials of gene therapies and DNA vaccines achieved, the next challenge is developing them into commercial products, requiring large quantities of purified plasmids. The current favored method for purifying DNA plasmids is ion-exchange chromatography. Unfortunately, these membranes restrict the amount of plasmid binding due to small pore… Read More »
Single-cell genetic manipulation is expected to substantially advance the field of systems neuroscience. This study examined the feasibility of combining in vivo whole-cell recording and gene delivery by answering four specific questions: Do cells survive for a substantial period after whole-cell recording in vivo? What is the likelihood and longevity of whole-cell… Read More »
A breakthrough in DNA plasmid delivery technology has been achieved. Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. developed a new generation DNA vaccine delivery technology that uses contactless, non-invasive electroporation to administer DNA-based therapeutics and vaccines for patients of all ages. Learn how employing piezoelectricity in this new technology has lowered the cost, portability, and ease-of-use… Read More »