Noxopharm Ltd (ASX:NOX, OTC:NOXOF) has fielded new data illustrating that its mRNA vaccine enhancer, SOF-VAC™, markedly reduces mRNA-induced inflammation in an animal model.
The implications of these findings are far-reaching.
While mRNA vaccines have revolutionised the treatment of infectious diseases, their uptake has been marred by concerns over side effects, primarily due to inflammation and associated side effects. This was widely seen during the mRNA vaccine rollout in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solution of major importance
SOF-VAC™ offers a promising solution to this challenge, thereby potentially expanding the utility and acceptance of mRNA vaccines.
Noxopharm CEO Dr Gisela Mautner said: “Our results are a significant milestone in the development of SOF-VAC. They show that it works in reducing inflammation, which should translate into fewer side effects from mRNA vaccines.
“This is of major importance as vaccines are given to populations that are essentially healthy, and who do not want to be negatively affected by a preventative vaccine administration.
“We have now taken SOF-VAC to the point where we consider the data is strong enough for it to be of interest to other companies, and so are stepping up our efforts to find the right partner to continue its clinical development.”
Developed in partnership with Melbourne's Hudson Institute of Medical Research, SOF-VAC was engineered to mitigate inflammatory responses when administered alongside mRNA vaccines.
Fully compatible with existing delivery platforms
It is fully compatible with existing mRNA vaccine delivery platforms and operates by blocking specific inflammation receptors in the body.
The research shows that fragments of mRNA stimulate inflammation receptors, leading to inflammation and other vaccine-related side effects.
When SOF-VAC is introduced along with an mRNA vaccine, it effectively blocks these receptors, reducing adverse effects.
In recent animal trials, the addition of SOF-VAC led to around a 50% decrease in inflammation when compared to the administration of mRNA alone.
The comprehensive data package suggests a highly significant drop in the levels of nine inflammatory biomarkers.
Importantly, the data also confirms that the effectiveness of the RNA remains high, a critical factor for vaccines aiming to combat various infectious diseases.
This makes SOF-VAC not just an enhancer but potentially a vital component in increasing vaccine tolerance among broader demographics.
Commercial partnerships sought
Having achieved a comprehensive data package, Noxopharm is actively seeking commercial partnerships to advance SOF-VAC to the next development phase.
This could herald a transformative moment for the biotech company and perhaps for the future of mRNA vaccines on a global scale.
Hudson Institute associate professor Michael Gantier said: “The development of RNA-based therapeutics is one of the most exciting areas of medicine, and these results are the outcome of many years of research.
“Our demonstration that molecules as short as SOF-VAC can have such targeted anti-inflammatory effects is genuinely novel, and gives SOF-VAC an advantage for use not only in vaccines but also in the many RNA-based drugs we see coming down the pipeline.”