Vical takes strides with its herpes vaccine, may eventually gain a partner (VICL)
Vical Inc. (Nasdaq: VICL) on Wednesday announced a positive four-month interim analysis for what is arguably its second-largest market opportunity, taking potentially another small step toward the goal of attracting a partner for its herpes vaccine program.
The results jump the gun a bit, as detailed endpoints were not provided. Vical expects the trial to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009, and to have final data available in the first half of 2010.
But the company said its TransVax cytomegalovirus herpes vaccine provided promising results compared with placebo across a broad range of clinical efficacy endpoints. Vical said the vaccine demonstrated a clear viral reduction compared with placebo in the percentage of recipients experiencing herpes virus reactivation. The vaccine also showed a decrease in peak and cumulative viral loads. TransVax also provided an overall increase in cellular immune responses compared with placebo.
The TransVax vaccine appears to be Vical’s No. 2 market opportunity in its pipeline. The No. 1 appears to be Allovectin-7, which is in a Phase III trial to treat metastatic melanoma.
The cytomegalovirus infects more than half of all adults in the U.S. by age 40, and is even more widespread in developing countries. A healthy immune system can fight off the irus, but it can severely affect those with a weak immune system, including transplant patients, pregnant mothers and newborns. — Mike Tarsala
