DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--   IMV Inc. (Nasdaq: IMV; TSX: IMV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of cancer immunotherapies and vaccines against infectious diseases, provides further details today on the Company’s rapid progress in developing its candidate vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection in response to the global health threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
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“We are working closely with regulatory agencies and our collaborators to initiate clinical studies as quickly as possible. The design of the phase 1 clinical study, agreed with Health Canada, is a randomized controlled study, assessing the safety and immunogenicity of DPX-COVID-19, in 84 healthy adults across two age cohorts: (1) adults between 18-55 years old inclusive and (2) 56 and above. Two dose levels of DPX-COVID-19 will be tested (25μg or 50μg). We are pleased that Health Canada has welcomed the design of a phase 1 trial that includes this vulnerable population.”

The rapid progress in target selection, the vaccine formulation, manufacturing and preclinical results so far not only demonstrate the potential of our delivery platform, but also build on our previously reported clinical data from a similarly designed vaccine against RSV, the respiratory syncytial virus,” says Frederic Ors, Chief Executive Officer at IMV. “Clinical results1 have shown our DPX-based vaccine against RSV demonstrated a unique ability to generate safe and long-lasting immune responses in older adults.”

IMV’s candidate vaccine, DPX-COVID-19, is based on IMV’s first-in-class delivery platform that generates targeted and sustained immune response in vivo. Fully synthetic, the vaccine candidate is designed to focus the immune response on the weaknesses of the virus with the goal to optimize safety and efficacy:

• DPX-COVID-19 is a formulation of the DPX delivery platform with four complementary peptide antigens that were selected for their high immunogenicity and ability to bind non-overlapping areas on the virus spike and impact its infective function in preclinical studies,
• Importantly, our selected targets are located outside of the 614 mutation which, according to recent research2,3has been demonstrated to increase the virus’ ability to infect cells in vitro and suggested to potentially reduce vaccine-induced immunity. We believe our vaccine candidate would retain its potential efficacy independently from current/future mutations of the virus at this site,

Areas on the virus spike identified as potentially responsible for vaccine-enhanced disease4 have been excluded from our target selection to minimize safety risk.
Since the Company announced the selection of its candidate vaccine on May 21st, the Company has made significant progress.

• Preclinical studies have demonstrated the capacity of DPX-COVID-19 to induce strong immunogenicity including the binding on target to the spike protein and viral neutralization,
• The Company has completed the current good manufacturing practice (“cGMP”) formulation and manufacturing process development for DPX-COVID-19, and
• Multiple batches have been successfully produced at IMV.

Next milestones are anticipated as we commence phase 1 clinical trials this summer with results in the Fall of 2020. Once results are published, we plan to initiate phase 2 clinical trials in the second half of the year.

About DPX-COVID-19

DPX-COVID-19 is IMV’s vaccine candidate against the novel strain of coronavirus that is responsible for the current pandemic. It is a DPX-based formulation of multiple peptides of the SARS-CoV-2 that generated early and strong immune responses in preclinical assays in animal models. A first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study is scheduled to initiate during summer 2020. Fully synthetic, DPX-COVID-19 has the potential for fast and large-scale manufacturing to supply a significant number of doses rapidly compared to more conventional vaccines. For more information, visit our dedicated webpage to the development of DPX-COVID-19.

About IMV

IMV Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to making immunotherapy more effective, more broadly applicable, and more widely available to people facing cancer and other serious diseases. IMV is pioneering a new class of cancer-targeted immunotherapies and vaccines based on the Company’s proprietary drug delivery platform. This patented technology leverages a novel mechanism of action that enables the programming of immune cells in vivo, which are aimed at generating powerful new synthetic therapeutic capabilities. IMV’s lead candidate, DPX-Survivac, is a T cell-activating immunotherapy that combines the utility of the platform with a target: survivin. IMV is currently assessing DPX-Survivac as a monotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer, as well as a combination therapy in multiple clinical studies with Merck. IMV is also developing a DPX-based vaccine to fight against COVID-19.

Source: IMV Inc.

Earlier today, CareRx Corporation (TSX: CRRX) announced the launch of Pharmacy At Your Door, a new digital business providing a safe and easy alternative for Canadians to meet their pharmacy needs without leaving their homes. The initial launch is focused in Calgary, Alberta.

“We are excited to bring the future of pharmacy to the greater Calgary area today,” said David Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of CareRx. “Pharmacy At Your Door leverages the market-leading institutional pharmacy and technology capabilities of CareRx to deliver a convenient, safe and cost effective at-home pharmacy experience.  This new business will better serve seniors and other customers who have limited time, transportation challenges, concerns about visiting retail pharmacies in light of COVID-19, or need support managing multiple medications and vitamins.” 

Pharmacy At Your Door supplies all products that would be found at a retail pharmacy while providing a convenient and safe way to obtain and take prescription medications.  Under the supervision of CareRx licensed pharmacists, Pharmacy At Your Door organizes and packages customer medications and vitamins by date and dose using CareRx’s state-of-the-art EasyPac technology – delivering individual pre-packed medication pouches which ensure that the right medication is taken at the right time.  Free, same-day home delivery is provided in a recyclable container, with secure, real-time GPS tracking of deliveries.

Registration is easy and only requires a short phone call with a CareRx customer care specialist or an online sign-up at www.pharmacyatyourdoor.ca. New prescriptions can be sent directly to CareRx by doctors, and existing prescriptions can be refilled and delivered with ease, with automatic refill reminders. There are no extra costs for using Pharmacy At Your Door, and CareRx also works directly with insurance companies to ensure coordination of plan coverage.  

Pharmacy At Your Door is initially only available in the greater Calgary area, but will be expanded to other regions in Canada as the rollout progresses.

ABOUT CARERX CORPORATION

CareRx (formerly Centric Health Corporation) is Canada’s leading provider of specialty pharmacy services to seniors. We serve more than 50,000 residents in over 850 seniors and other communities (long-term care homes, retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes). We are a national organization with a large network of pharmacy fulfillment centres strategically located across the country. This allows us to deliver medications in a timely and cost-effective manner and quickly respond to routine changes in medication management. We use best-in-class technology that automates the preparation and verification of multi-dose compliance packaging of medication, providing the highest levels of safety and adherence for individuals with complex medication regimes.  We take an active role in working with our home operator partners to promote resident health, staff education, and medication system quality and efficiency. 

For more information, visit www.carerx.ca. 

Source: CareRx Corporation

Earlier this week, the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada surpassed 105,900 with Québec reporting 55,937 cases, Ontario 35,948, Alberta 8,389 and British Columbia 2,978. To date, there have been 8,693 deaths across the country.

Health Canada recently warned that it has found counterfeit N95 respirators (sold by Shanghai Lansheng Light Industrial Products) with false approval labels on them. As the masks may not provide the level of protection they claim to, Health Canada has asked the company to stop selling the product and to issue a recall while provinces were urged to review supplies to ensure they meet safety requirements.

Alberta: While the province continues to monitor several small outbreaks in Calgary and Edmonton, a more serious situation is developing in the latter city where a hospital is now closed to new admissions following 18 patients and 14 staff testing positive. The easing of restrictions continues, however, across the province with outdoor gatherings of 200 now allowed, while the province will resume distribution of non-medical face masks in mid-July.  

British Columbia: B.C. continues to be largely successful in controlling the spread of the virus while most the recent fatalities have been limited to longterm care centres. Although the province has not mandated the use of facemasks out of concern for those who have difficulty wearing one, it strongly recommends their use, particularly when social distancing is not possible.

Ontario: For the first time in three months, the province reported no new C-19 related deaths (July 6). It continues to move ahead with reopening plans as Industry Note NBCFM Research | July 7, 2020 the last two municipalities in the Windsor-Essex region are expected to move into Stage 2 on July 7. Officials also announced that alongside the reopening of the economy, the province will fast-track construction of highways and transit systems throughout (with a focus in the Greater Toronto Area) via a $2.6 billion plan. While the province is seeing gradual improvements, mayors from some of the largest cities remain concerned and have requested at least $10 billion in relief funding to avoid property tax increases, user fee hikes and cutting of public services. Several municipalities, including Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, and others, have made the use of masks mandatory in indoor public spaces.

Québec: Following a cluster in the Greater Montréal area caused by two large house parties and spread to a bar, officials announced that they will increase police presence in reopened bars, clubs and other establishments to ensure customers are properly following distancing guidelines. The government is also expected to outline fines for non-complying customers and venues later this week while closures of establishment may also be possible. Montréal plans to introduce a bylaw by the end of July requiring face coverings in enclosed public spaces.