New Virus Modification Approach to Creating Vaccines for Insect-Borne Diseases

A technology breakthrough that could have a major impact in the development of vaccines to preventive insect-borne diseases has been published in the June edition of Virology Journal, Raleigh, NC, July 07, 2011 --(PR.com)-- A technology breakthrough that could have a major impact in the development of vaccines to preventive insect-borne diseases has been published in the June edition of Virology Journal, 'Structural mutants of Dengue Virus 2 transmembrane domains exhibit host-range phenotype.' http://www.virologyj.com/content/8/1/289 The technology developed by Arbovax, Raleigh, NC creates virus host-range mutations that will reproduce in insect cells while being severely restricted in their ability to reproduce in mammalian cells. Pre-clinical animal experiments have shown that this approach can be used to create immunity to insect-borne viral diseases such as Dengue Fever. Modifications to the virus are hidden from the immune system and so produce strong immunity in the absence of disease. The virus can also be grown in a very cost-effective manner in an insect cell reactor. Arbovax expects to be initiating human clinical trials of its Dengue vaccine by the end of 2012 Over 2/5 of the world's population is threatened by insect borne viral diseases and this technology will form the basis for a vaccine platform against many of those diseases. "These are very promising results, a major step forward in the fight to stop the spread of insect-borne diseases. We are very excited to have then published by such a well-respected journal in the field of virology," said CEO Malcolm Thomas, "and we are currently preparing several other papers for publication in the near future." About the company: Arbovax, Inc. is an early stage biotechnology company based in Raleigh NC, developing a novel and innovative technology to facilitate the development of vaccines against insect-borne viruses. The core technology, developed by Dr. Dennis Brown and Dr. Raquel Hernandez of NC State University, provides a platform that offers improved vaccine technology in a cost effective manner targeting a portfolio of arthropod-borne diseases that includes Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, West Nile, Chikungunya and Yellow Fever. Arbovax's initial focus, Dengue Fever, is ranked second only to Malaria by the World Health Organization for its devastating global impact. For an informative video visit http://urweb.tv/medical.html Contact Information: Malcolm Thomas President and CEO (919) 655 0412 mthomas@arbovax.com

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Contact Information: Arbovax Inc Malcolm Thomas 919-655-0412 www.arbovax.com

Online Version of Press Release: You can read the online version of this press release at: http://www.pr.com/press-release/337110

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