Vical influenza DNA vaccine

The Vical influenza DNA vaccine is a plasmid-based vaccine platform developed by Vical Incorporated for pandemic preparedness and seasonal influenza. Formulated with the proprietary Vaxfectin adjuvant—a cationic lipid-based system (GAP-DMORIE/DPyPE)—the vaccine delivers DNA sequences encoding conserved and strain-specific influenza proteins, including hemagglutinin (HA), nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix protein 2 (M2). This approach is designed to elicit both neutralizing antibodies and broad T-cell mediated immunity. Developed under the RapidResponse program with support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the vaccine aimed to provide a faster manufacturing alternative to traditional egg-based methods during pandemic outbreaks, such as H5N1 (avian flu). While clinical trials demonstrated safety and immunogenicity, the program was eventually deprioritized in favor of other pipeline candidates.

Other names

Vaxfectin-formulated influenza DNA vaccineVical pandemic influenza DNA vaccineRapidResponse influenza vaccine