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Axel Lehrer in his lab at the UH medical school (photo by Jessica Henao)

Soligenix Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, is joining with Axel Lehrer at the John A. Burns School of Medicine and Hawaiʻi Biotech, Inc. to develop a heat stable Ebola vaccine.

The ultimate goal is to produce a thermostable Ebola vaccine for worldwide distribution that does not require cold storage. ThermoVax, a University of Colorado-licensed technology, has been successful in enhancing the thermostability of both ricin (RiVax) and anthrax (VeloThrax) subunit vaccines in the past. Application of ThermoVax for the Ebola vaccine may allow for a product that can avoid the need for cold-chain distribution and storage, yielding a vaccine ideal for use in both the developed and developing world

“There is a great need for a thermostable Ebola vaccine, particularly in areas of the world where Filoviruses are endemic and the power supply uncertain,” stated Lehrer. “We are delighted to pursue this feasibility work with Soligenix and look forward to a long and productive collaboration.”

“We believe that creating a vaccine with enhanced stability at elevated temperatures, which can obviate the costs and logistical burdens associated with cold chain storage and distribution, has the potential to provide a distinct advantage over other Ebola vaccines currently in development,” stated Christopher J. Schaber, Soligenix president and chief executive officer.

For the full story go the the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine medicine website.

—By Tina Shelton

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