Pipeline

Chronic Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a condition caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can cause both acute and chronic disease. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major public health problem. WHO estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection, with 1.2 million new infections each year and 1.1 million deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (WHO 2024). Antiviral therapy is effective in controlling the disease but does typically not allow to cure the infection. Hence life-long antiviral therapy is required.

AstriVax´s approach to functional CHB cure

AstriVax is developing  AVX70371, a candidate CHB therapeutic vaccine, that efficiently induces specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and is expected to be a promising component in of a combination therapy that may lead to a functional cure.

Development status: Preclinical PoC, preparing for Phase 1.

Human papillomavirus

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary cause of precancerous cervical lesions, which can progress to cervical cancer. Virtually all cervical cancer cases are attributed to HPV.
Despite the availability of effective vaccines for over a decade, around 4% of individuals still carry high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which are strongly associated with cervical as well as head and neck cancers. The development of therapeutic vaccines for HPV could significantly improve current treatment strategies. These vaccines could simplify treatment, reduce loss-to-follow-up, and increase the proportion of women effectively treated after a positive test result (WHO).

AstriVax´s investigational HPV therapeutic vaccine

AstriVax is developing an investigational therapeutic vaccine which is specifically designed to elicit CD8+ T-cells response, aiming to treat precancerous lesions and eliminate persistent infections

Development status: Discovery stage

Yellow fever (YF) 

YF is caused by the transmission of the YF virus via the bite of an infected mosquito. It is a highly pathogenic virus with a case fatality rate of more than 30%. There are >30 000 deaths/year with increasing number of cases (CDC). Climate change is expanding the range of mosquito-borne diseases, posing a risk to half of the world’s population. YF vaccination is required for travelers to certain countries and is recommended for all travelers to areas subject to endemic and epidemic disease (WHO). The current surge in market demand is evident​ due to expansion of  travel market​ and new areas of risks.

AstriVax response to increasing need of new generation YF vaccines

AstriVax is developing AVX70120 as the next-generation yellow fever vaccine. It consists of a plasmid DNA containing the full genome of the commercially available and trusted live attenuated yellow fever strain 17D (YF17D), which launches a self-amplifying live attenuated virus (LAV). ​The 2-steps manufacturing process is easy to tech transfer and eliminates egg dependance and allergy risks. It is a thermostable vaccine offering stability and affordable supply chain.

Development status: Ongoing Phase I clinical study (SAFYR) testing the safety and Immune response of AVX70120

Rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite or scratch of a rabid animal. While rabies is a preventable disease (through pre-exposure prophylaxis and/or post-exposure prophylaxis), an estimated >60 000 people die annually from the disease around the world (CDC) as Rabies is causing acute encephalitis, and it is 100% fatal zoonotic disease.

AstriVax is pioneering a next-gen life saving Rabies vaccine

To contribute to more efficient Rabies prevention and control worldwide, AstriVax is developing AVX70481 as a next-gen life saving Rabies vaccine. It consists of DNA plasmid that contains the full genome of YF17D as viral vector with the sequence of the rabies virus surface glycoprotein (RabG) inserted and is indicated for the prevention and post-exposure treatment of rabies. ​The 2-steps manufacturing process is easy to tech transfer and the thermostable nature offers stability and affordable supply chain, with reduced dosing schedules.

Development status: Ongoing Phase I clinical study (SAFYR) testing the safety and Immune response of AVX70481.