Vaxfectin-formulated trivalent influenza DNA vaccine

The Vaxfectin-formulated trivalent influenza DNA vaccine is a plasmid DNA-based vaccine developed by Vical Incorporated for the prevention of influenza, specifically targeting highly pathogenic avian influenza strains such as H5N1. The vaccine consists of three distinct plasmids encoding the H5 hemagglutinin (HA), nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix protein 2 (M2) of the influenza virus. It is formulated with Vaxfectin, a proprietary cationic lipid-based adjuvant designed to enhance the delivery of the plasmid DNA into host cells and significantly boost both humoral (antibody) and cellular (T-cell) immune responses. By including conserved internal proteins like NP and M2 alongside the surface HA protein, the vaccine was intended to provide broader and more durable protection against drifting or pandemic influenza strains compared to traditional seasonal vaccines. Clinical development reached Phase 1, where the vaccine demonstrated safety and the ability to induce multi-antigenic immune responses in healthy adults.

Other names

Vaxfectin-adjuvanted trivalent influenza DNA vaccineVical trivalent influenza DNA vaccineTrivalent H5N1 DNA vaccine