Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics reports that compound peptide vaccines generate immune responses to both influenza and coronavirus

BETHESDA, Md. & GAITHERSBURG, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE). both influenza and coronavirus. The data were consistent with Longhorn’s lead vaccine candidate LHNVD-105, a universal composite peptide influenza vaccine candidate administered with the US Army’s liposomal adjuvant (ALFQ). Both vaccines produce a robust, sustained and balanced immune response.

The results of this study were presented in an oral presentation session at Infectious Disease Week (IDWeek) 2022, held October 19-23, 2022 in Washington, DC.

“Adjuvanted assembled peptides are a powerful vaccine platform that can be used for single or multiple pathogens and is easily scalable and cost-effective,” said Dr. Gerald Fischer, CEO of Longhorn. “The study data demonstrate Longhorn’s potential to develop vaccines against a broad spectrum of pathogens – separately and in combination – using many different adjuvants with consistent results. Our goal is to move our universal influenza vaccine candidate LHNVD-105 into phase 1 clinical trials starting in 2023. Our team is committed to developing vaccines that will have an impact around the world.”

The presentation entitled “A Composite Peptide Vaccine Composed of Conserved SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Epitopes Generated Antisera Responses to Both Coronavirus and Influenza” showed:

• Immunization of mice with composite peptide vaccines composed of conserved epitopes of either SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase or spike protein, each containing conserved influenza epitopes (NA and M2e) and a T-cell epitope produced cross-reactive and durable neutralizing antibodies against both the coronavirus and influenza epitopes in the vaccine.

• The combined compound peptide vaccine generated greatly enhanced immune responses with only one primary immunization, which further increased with a boost (titers up to 100,000).

• Th1 and Th2 responses were observed (IgG1 and IgG2b titers) and the titers remained stable over 250 days after the primary immunization with no additional boosts after day 35, indicating the breadth and duration of the immune responses.

“Long-lasting and effective universal and combination vaccines will be critical to overcoming vaccine fatigue and reducing the cost of vaccine administration worldwide,” said Longhorn President Jeff Fischer. “The data presented today reinforce the case for adjuvanted compound peptide vaccines to reduce viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and validate our approach of using multiple conserved targets for each pathogen to reduce the likelihood of escape mutations.”

The presentation can be accessed online at www.lhnvd.com/vaccines-antibodies.

About Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics LLC

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics LLC is a Maryland-based One Health and One World company developing vaccines and diagnostic tools to address global public health concerns and prevent future pandemics. Since its inception in 2006, Longhorn has focused on developing vaccines and diagnostic tools that can impact a pandemic on a global scale and at all socioeconomic levels. As pandemics flow between humans and animals, Longhorn takes care of both to monitor, diagnose, prevent and treat the next infectious disease.

Longhorn’s core diagnostic product, PrimeStore^® Molecular Transport Medium (MTM) is a patented, FDA-cleared, state-of-the-art, ambient temperature molecular diagnostic collection and transport device that can help governments, global health organizations and drug manufacturers improve the diagnosis and treatment of highly infectious diseases such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). Unlike standard devices for collecting and transporting virus samples, PrimeStore^® MTM is the first molecular transport device that can safely inactivate pathogens and stabilize RNA and DNA, enabling enhanced point-of-care and ambient temperature transport for laboratory-based molecular testing and characterization.

Longhorn’s lead vaccine candidate, LHNVD-105, is a universal influenza vaccine with composite peptide adjuvants that targets multiple conserved epitopes in the HA, NA and M2e regions of the virus. LHNVD-105 is formulated with two composite peptides and combined with US Army liposomal adjuvant (ALFQ).