GeneOne Life Science, Inovio Pharmaceuticals to Collaborate on Zika Virus Vaccine Development

GeneOne Life Science today announced the initiation of a collaborative research program with Inovio Pharmaceuticals INO to test and advance a DNA-based vaccine for preventing and treating the emerging and virulent Zika virus infection.   Inovio and its collaborators are leveraging their past experience in designing and testing novel DNA-based vaccines for related viruses including the West Nile, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. Moreover, Inovio and GeneOne are currently collaborating on two phase I stage vaccine candidates for severe infectious diseases: INO-4212, a vaccine for Ebola infection and GLS-5300, a vaccine for MERS infection. The Zika virus vaccine candidate is currently undergoing preclinical animal studies to evaluate its immunogenicity. Mr. Young K. Park, CEO, GeneOne Life Science, said, "We are moving rapidly with Inovio and our academic collaborators to test a vaccine for this fast-spreading viral disease causing major birth defects in newborns. We aim to be on the front line of defense against major emerging infectious disease such as Ebola, MERS and now the Zika virus." Zika virus is a flavivirus, a family of viruses which includes yellow fever, dengue, and the West See full press release