Vaxxinity Announces Research Collaboration on Active Immunotherapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases with University of Florida

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vaxxinity, Inc. (Nasdaq: VAXX), a U.S. company pioneering the development of a new class of medicines, today announced a research collaboration with the University of Florida’s (UF) Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND) to support its work on the development of vaccines for neurodegenerative diseases. The research, funded by a grant from the state of Florida, aims to further the development of Vaxxinity’s active immunotherapies to prevent and mitigate neurodegenerative diseases, having the potential to change the future of treatment by offering people an affordable and accessible therapeutic option.

“Our collaboration with the University of Florida will support the continued development of vaccines for neurodegenerative diseases affecting millions of people worldwide,” said Mei Mei Hu, CEO of Vaxxinity. “Our work with UF will drive a deeper understanding of how to neutralize toxic proteins in the brain implicated in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This work builds upon years of research on our synthetic peptide technology platform to target endogenous proteins, and can help us to develop better candidates for neurodegenerative diseases in the future. We are not afraid to tackle the biggest challenges in science, and this collaboration is an important way we are advancing our vision to provide cheaper, safer, more convenient, and effective medicines for chronic disease to all.”

Researchers at UF will conduct a series of preclinical studies to explore the effects of Vaxxinity’s candidates for neurodegenerative disease on relevant biological targets, such as beta-amyloid, tau, and alpha-synuclein, in various in vitro and in vivo studies, including models of disease and antibody-target binding assays. This project will complement preclinical work conducted at Vaxxinity, which has already shown immunogenicity, target engagement, and efficacy in animal models of multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

“The University of Florida’s Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease is committed to advancing biomedical research that can make a significant impact on human health," said Matthew J. LaVoie, Ph.D., director of UF’s CTRND. “Our focus on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease is expanding to include vaccine candidates, and we believe this partnership will drive scientific progress and create exciting and impactful new opportunities for our faculty and students. We are grateful for the state of Florida's commitment to advancing medical science for our aging population in Florida and beyond.”