Thursday, August 21, 2008

BioVex granted U.K. study of genital herpes vaccine

By Mass High Tech Staff

BioVex Inc., a Woburn-based developer of cancer and infectious disease drugs and vaccines, has received British approval to begin a Phase 1 clinical study of its genital herpes vaccine  treatment, ImmunoVEX HSV2.

The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has accepted the clinical trial application to examine safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine.

ImmunoVEX HSV2 operates by allowing the human immune system to build up a response to the presence of genital herpes, after the vaccine has effectively removed the gene that prevents herpes from making contact with the immune system.

Privately-held BioVex last reported closing a $35 million Series E round of funding in November 2007. The proceeds, the company said, would fund Phase 3 clinical trials of its lead melanoma drug as well as trials for its treatments for head and neck, and pancreatic cancers. BioVex also reported that the round would be used to advance studies of its ImmunoVEX HSV2 vaccine for genital herpes.