Soligenix secures NIAID contract to develop heat stable RiVax vaccine

The contract is aimed at advancing development of the company’s thermostabilization technology, ThermoVax, combined with its ricin toxin vaccine, Rivax, as a medical countermeasure (MCM) to prevent the effects of ricin exposure.

The contract includes a 16-month base period providing financial support of about $5.8m, followed by several contract options that would extend the contract award for up to six years.

The company said that if all contract options are exercised, the total award will support the preclinical, manufacturing and clinical development activities required to advance heat stable RiVax with the US FDA.

Soligenix president and chief executive officer Christopher Schaber said securing this highly competitive NIAID contract provides further recognition as to the innovative quality and potential impact of both the company’s vaccine and thermostabilization technologies.

"With this new contract award, the Company now has up to $57m in NIAID and BARDA funding to advance the biodefense business segment," Schaber said.

"We thank NIAID for their past and present support and look forward to collaborating closely with them as we advance RiVax development towards potential FDA licensure and procurement for the national stockpile."

ThermoVax is a technology designed to reduce the standard cold chain production, distribution and storage logistics required for most vaccines.