ASTVAC-1

ASTVAC-1 is a novel DNA-based vaccine candidate developed by AstriVax for the prevention of yellow fever. It utilizes the proprietary Plasmid-Launched Live-Attenuated Virus (PLLAV) technology, which involves the delivery of a DNA plasmid that encodes the genome of the live-attenuated yellow fever virus strain YF17D. Upon administration, the host's own cellular machinery transcribes and translates the plasmid, effectively "launching" the live-attenuated virus to trigger a potent and durable immune response. This approach is designed to combine the stability and ease of manufacturing associated with DNA vaccines with the high immunogenicity of live-attenuated vaccines. A key advantage of the PLLAV platform is its potential for cold-chain independence, which would significantly facilitate vaccine distribution in tropical and subtropical regions where yellow fever is endemic.