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GeoVax HIV/AIDS Vaccines Featured in Four Presentations at 2012
Global AIDS Vaccine Conference
HIV Vaccine Trials Network Presents Encouraging Results for Phase 2a Trial
ATLANTA - September 28, 2012 - GeoVax Labs, Inc. (OTCBB:GOVX),a
biotechnology company developing vaccines to prevent and fight HIV/AIDS, was
featured in several presentations at the AIDS Vaccine 2012 Conference in Boston,
September 10-12. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), which is funded by the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National
Institutes of Health, reported results of the GeoVax Phase 2a trial as well as comparative
immunogenicity data from a series of HVTN trials of different candidate vaccines.
Paul A. Goepfert, MD, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Protocol Chair, reported
safety and immunogenicity data for the HVTN 205 Phase 2a trial of the GeoVax vaccine
candidates. HVTN 205 was undertaken in 300 participants to further compare full-dose
regimens of DNA priming and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) boosting (DDMM
regimen) with MVA priming and boosting (MMM regimen). Both vaccine regimens
appeared safe and well-tolerated. Similar to Phase 1 testing, the GeoVax "DDMM
regimen" induced higher rates of T cell responses whereas the "MMM regimen" induced
higher rates of antibody responses. Antibody responses to Env were seen in more than 90
percent of both groups. The Phase 2a trial confirmed Phase 1 results, setting the stage for
Phase 2b efficacy trials. The Phase 2b trial will test GeoVax's second-generation product
that co-expresses HIV proteins and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in
the DNA prime.
Nicole Frahm, Ph.D., Associate Laboratory Director, HVTN Laboratory in Seattle,
compared immune responses elicited by vaccines developed by GeoVax to those by
Therion Biologics Corp. and the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative. All of these
vaccines used DNA priming and poxvirus boosting or poxvirus priming and boosting.
These studies compared DNA, MVA and fowlpox vectors. The results showed the
GeoVax vaccines performed well in all categories of tested responses. The GeoVax
MVA vaccine performed particularly well in the elicitation of neutralizing antibody for
both Tier 1 (easy to neutralize) and Tier 2 (more difficult to neutralize) isolates of HIV.
Harriet L. Robinson, Ph.D., GeoVax's Chief Scientific Officer, presented data reviewing
a long- term protection study (currently at four years) in which rhesus macaques
vaccinated with simian homologs of the GeoVax second-generation vaccines were
subjected to 43 independent rectal exposures to virus. At the 43rd challenge, the last two
uninfected macaques in the study became infected. Combined with the consistency and
quality of safety and immune responses for the first-generation vaccines in HVTNsponsored
clinical trials, the success of this long-term challenge study provides the
rationale for proceeding with the second generation "GM-CSF co-expressing product"
into Phase 2b human efficacy trials.
"We are very pleased with the ongoing progress and encouraging results resulting from
both our clinical and preclinical studies," said David A. Dodd, GeoVax's Chairman. "The
HVTN has very effectively proceeded with our GM-CSF co-expressing product into the
clinic in HVTN 094. This Phase 1 study, which will provide safety and immunogenicity
data for our 2nd generation product and support our progress into Phase 2b, is enrolling
more rapidly than anticipated."
The AIDS Vaccine 2012 Conference Abstract Book can be found at the following link:
here...
Webcasts of the conference sessions can be found at the following link:
http://aidsvac.capitalreach.com/
For more information, please visit www.geovax.com.
###
About GeoVax Labs, Inc.
The unique GeoVax two-component vaccine regimen, a recombinant DNA and a
recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), is designed to stimulate both anti-HIV T
cell and anti-HIV antibody immune responses. The GeoVax DNA and MVA vaccines are
used in a prime/boost protocol in which priming is done with the DNA component and
boosting with the MVA component. Both the DNA and MVA components express the
three major proteins of the AIDS virus: Gag, Pol, and Env, and produce noninfectious
virus-like-particles. Uniquely, the GeoVax vaccines express virus-like particles that
display the trimeric membrane bound form of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env). In
GeoVax's second-generation vaccine regimen, the DNA prime co-expresses GM-CSF
with the virus-like particles, delivering a normal human protein that stimulates immune
responses to the site of vaccination. All preventive Phase 1 human clinical trials
conducted to date have tested various combinations and doses of our DNA and MVA
vaccines for their ability to raise anti-HIV humoral (antibody) and cellular (cytotoxic T
cell) immune responses, as well as for the safety of the vaccines.
About HIV/AIDS
AIDS is an epidemic that can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, age or sexual
orientation. 33 million people are currently infected globally; it is estimated that there
will be 2.5 million new infections this year. Since the beginning of the epidemic, more
than a million people in the U.S. have contracted the virus. Every 9 1/2 minutes, someone
in the U.S. is infected with AIDS. Globally, HIV is the top killer among women of
reproductive age. HIV is a worldwide disease with different subtypes (or clades) of the
virus predominating in different regions of the world. Clade B is the predominant subtype
in North America. Globally, most infections involve subtypes AG, B and C. GeoVax
vaccines are currently designed to function against clade B.
For more information, please visit www.geovax.com.
About the HVTN
The HVTN is the largest worldwide clinical trials network dedicated to the development and testing of preventive HIV/AIDS vaccines. The HVTN is an international collaboration that conducts all phases of clinical trials, from evaluating experimental vaccines for
safety and the ability to stimulate immune responses, to testing vaccine efficacy. Support for the HVTN comes from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Network’s HIV Vaccine Trial Units are located at leading research institutions in 27 cities on four
continents. The Network’s headquarters are at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may
differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including
whether: HVTN will commence, complete enrollment, and generate data regarding GeoVax
vaccine clinical trials as and when expected, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its vaccines
with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax's vaccines will be safe for human
use, GeoVax's vaccines will effectively prevent AIDS in humans, vaccines will receive regulatory
approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete
vaccine development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective,
less costly, or easier to use than GeoVax's products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable
manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no
control. GeoVax assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not
intend to do so. More information about these factors is contained in GeoVax's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including those set forth at "Risk Factors" in GeoVax's
Form 10-K.
Contact
DGI
Investor Relations
Dillon Heins
or
Public Relations
Laura Radocaj
(212) 825-3210
"Reproduced with permission - GeoVax Labs, Inc."
GeoVax Labs, Inc.
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