Soligenix announces issuance of US Patent for ThermoVax Technology

The newly issued patent claims cover compositions and methods for manufacturing vaccines utilizing ThermoVax, the Company’s proprietary vaccine thermostabilization technology.

The new patent complements US patent 8,444,991, granted on May 21, 2013, that primarily included claims for methods of making stabilized vaccines. In the new patent, the main patent claims describe compositions of immunologically-active adjuvant-bound, thermostable, freeze-dried vaccines in which the vaccine utilizes conventional adjuvants comprised of aluminum salts.

Aluminum salts are commonly used as adjuvants in many vaccines, including those administered to children. ThermoVax was developed specifically to overcome the problems that are encountered with freeze-drying vaccines that contain aluminum adjuvants while simultaneously engineering them to withstand extremes of temperature.

"The newly issued patent is another milestone in the development of stabilized vaccines using ThermoVax. This patent is a critical component in our commercialization strategy for vaccines, by creating vaccines that avoid the costs and logistical burdens associated with cold chain storage and distribution," stated Christopher J. Schaber, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Soligenix.

"We expect that the introduction of an effective technology for long-term stabilization of vaccines has the potential to be a major advance in the worldwide effort to develop effective countermeasures and therapies for significant biothreats and emerging pathogens. We continue to pursue a number of vaccine companies and non-profit organizations regarding the potential for collaboration on heat stable versions of their vaccine candidates."