live attenuated influenza vaccines addressing the...
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Vivaldi Biosciences Inc. Bellevue Hospital Center 462 First Avenue, Building A, 9th Floor New York, NY 10016‐9196 Tel: 646‐381‐6680 Fax: 646‐472‐0130 www.vivaldibiosciences.com
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines Addressing the Major Public Health Issues of Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza
Burden of Influenza. Vivaldi is developing live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) to address the most pressing public health issues of influenza – the need for a vaccine for seasonal influenza that is effective in older individuals, and a means of rapid response to an emerging pandemic with fast, efficient production of vaccines effective with just a single, small dose. Live attenuated vaccines induce potent, long‐lasting immunity, and are the acknowledged “gold standard” for many vaccine‐preventable diseases. Nevertheless, the predominant influenza vaccines, in use for decades, are based on inactivated (killed) influenza virus, and have relatively poor efficacy in adults age 50 and older. This age group is the largest and the most vulnerable to influenza and its serious complications. Over 90% of influenza‐related deaths occur in the elderly. Transformative Approach. Vivaldi’s LAIVs are based on recent discoveries about the biology of influenza virus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). Vivaldi scientists have demonstrated that LAIVs with specific modifications of NS1 have the potential to provide superior efficacy, safety, and cross‐protection against drifted or variant influenza strains. Vivaldi’s vaccines have a unique mode of action – they stimulate the body’s production of interferon, which acts as a natural adjuvant, boosting the immune response to provide potent, long‐lasting protection. The vaccines can be given by nasal spray, as a single, low‐dose immunization.
Vivaldi is preparing to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and begin clinical testing of its lead candidates for seasonal influenza, with the goal of developing a vaccine with increased efficacy and greater protection in adults age 50 and older. Vivaldi also plans to start clinical trials of a vaccine candidate for the recently emerged H1N1 (swine‐origin) influenza virus, and for highly pathogenic avian‐origin influenza.
© 2009 Vivaldi Biosciences Inc. v.4.1 All rights reserved. 5/18/09
Accelerated Development and Production. Vivaldi’s technologies enable rapid response to the frequent changes that occur in circulating influenza viruses. In particular, Vivaldi’s technologies enable accelerated development of virus strains for vaccine manufacture, reducing the time required from a matter of months for conventional vaccines, to a matter of weeks for Vivaldi’s vaccines. This significantly reduced time‐frame is critical in the event of a pandemic, and also provides considerable advantages for annual production and distribution of vaccines for seasonal influenza. Vivaldi is developing methods for rapid, scalable and cost‐effective LAIV production with both standardized cell culture and traditional egg substrate methods. Sustainable Advantage. Vivaldi has exclusive rights to use reverse genetics technologies to develop and produce viruses with modifications of NS1, giving the company a unique position and sustainable competitive advantage. In addition to innovative LAIVs for seasonal and pandemic influenza, Vivaldi’s NS1 technologies provide a broad platform for development of live attenuated vaccines for other viral respiratory diseases, and for discovery and development of broad‐spectrum antiviral drugs. Vivaldi’s intellectual property includes rights in the US and major international markets to more than 25 issued patents in the fields of NS1‐based vaccines, cell substrates for virus production, and drug discovery methods targeting NS1. Expert Leadership. Vivaldi is led by a strong management team with significant experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and expertise in virology, immunology, and vaccine development and production. The company was founded by preeminent virologists, Drs. Peter Palese and Adolfo García‐Sastre of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Dr. Elliott Kieff of Harvard Medical School, who provide ongoing technology leadership and expert advice. Bay City Capital LLC provided the seed capital, and co‐led Vivaldi’s $23 million Series A financing with NGN Capital LLC in 2008.
Management and Directors Affiliations / Experience
Douglass Given, MD, PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Director David Liebowitz, MD, PhD, CSO William Wick, MBA, CFO Peter Johann, PhD, Director William Gerber, MD, Director Georg Nebgen, PhD, Director Victor Schmitt, MBA Director
Bay City Capital, Mallinckrodt, Schering Plough, Monsanto Amgen, Immunex, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Univ. of Chicago Vision Capital, ZoZa, National City Corporation NGN Capital, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hoffmann‐LaRoche Bay City Capital, Epoch, DiaDexus, Onyx, Chiron, Cetus NGN Capital, MPM Capital, Schering‐Plough Bay City Capital, Baxter Healthcare
Scientific Founders and Advisors Affiliation
Peter Palese, PhD, Scientific Founder, Advisor Elliott Kieff, MD, PhD, Scientific Founder, Advisor Adolfo García‐Sastre, PhD, Scientific Founder, Advisor Robert Belshe, MD, Advisor Ann Arvin, MD, Advisor
Mount Sinai School of Medicine Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Mount Sinai School of Medicine St. Louis University School of Medicine Stanford University School of Medicine
Building Value. Vivaldi’s strategy is to rapidly create value by generating surrogate efficacy data in Phase I clinical studies of its lead LAIV candidate for seasonal influenza in general and older populations, for an early indication of vaccine performance in the intended population. Vivaldi’s proprietary methods for rapid strain development and LAIV production also are expected to contribute significantly to the value of its programs. Successful development of a LAIV with superior efficacy in older adults provides an opportunity for premium pricing and rapid market acceptance, and may enhance pricing and penetration in other market segments, providing a sizeable share of the $4 billion world market for seasonal influenza vaccines.