Heat Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:HTBX) has announced a collaboration with Waisman Biomanufacturing for the manufacture if its coronavirus vaccine. Heat Biologics has been developing a coronavirus vaccine.
Waisman to help Heat Biologics in the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine
Waisman is a specialty manufacturer that focuses on the manufacturing of cellular therapies as well as other early-stage biologics clinical trials. The company, which is associated with the University of Wisconsin, has so far manufactured more than 320 clinical products and earned a reputation for its time and cost-effective biologics production.
The companies have previously collaborated in the manufacture of Heat Biologic’s HS-130, which is currently in the first phase of the clinical trial. Heat Biologics is now partnering with Waisman to support the production of its novel coronavirus vaccine that is expected for first phase human trials. The company’s COVID-19 vaccine uses the company’s gp96 platform I targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19.
Heat employs a unique approach designed to introduce a multi-epitope CD8 T-Cell memory response preventing several distinct strains of coronavirus as well as against the possible mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the future.
COVID-19 vaccine development supported by primate and mice studies
The CEO of Heat Biologics Jeff Wolf indicated that the company has continued to advance the development of its COVID-19 vaccine, and they are delighted to work with Waisman in the manufacturing efforts. He added that they are upbeat about the potential the gp96 platform has shown in providing wide protection against the coronavirus, especially in patients with underlying conditions and the elderly that are at risk of death or complications due to COVID-19.
The CEO indicated that their confidence enhanced by the several NIH and DOD-funded primate and mice studies that use the Heat platform to create vaccines for HIV/SIV, Zika, Malaria as well as other infectious illnesses. Results from these trials have indicated that there is a significant antiviral activity in the lungs when using the gp96 platform. This is supported by evidence of effectiveness and strong immune responses in mucosal immunity in different disease models.
