Soligenix Inc. has announced the publication of new data demonstrating extended stability of its ebolavirus vaccines developed using the ThermoVax platform. According to a manuscript accepted by Vaccine, bivalent and trivalent vaccines formulated from Zaire ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, and Marburg marburgvirus antigens retained full potency after two years of storage at temperatures up to 40°C (104°F). This breakthrough addresses one of the most significant challenges in global vaccine distribution—the requirement for continuous cold-chain storage.
The thermostable vaccines, developed in collaboration with Dr. Axel Lehrer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, have shown robust immune responses in animal models, achieving up to 100% protection in non-human primates. ThermoVax enhances protein subunit vaccines, which are considered the gold standard for safety, by eliminating the need for refrigeration during storage and transport. This technology could dramatically improve pandemic preparedness, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure or during emergency response situations where maintaining cold chains is difficult.
The development has been supported by government funding from agencies including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The implications for global health are substantial, as thermostable vaccines could ensure broader access to critical immunizations in tropical climates and remote areas. For more information about Soligenix's research and development programs, visit https://ibn.fm/SNGX.
The company's Public Health Solutions business segment continues to advance vaccine candidates for various threats, including ricin toxin, filoviruses, and COVID-19, all utilizing the ThermoVax stabilization technology. This approach represents a significant advancement in vaccine technology that could transform how life-saving immunizations are delivered worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings where refrigeration infrastructure is unreliable or nonexistent.
