Dynavax

From WikiCover

Dynavax Technologies Corporation discovers, develops, and intends to commercialize innovative TLR9 agonist-based products to treat and prevent infectious diseases, allergies, cancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases using versatile, proprietary approaches that alter immune system responses in highly specific ways. Our TLR9 agonists are based on immunostimulatory sequences, or ISS, which are short DNA sequences that enhance the ability of the immune system to fight disease and control chronic inflammation. Our product candidates include: Heplisav, a hepatitis B vaccine in Phase 3; Tolamba, a ragweed allergy immunotherapy; a therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Phase 2 and for metastatic colorectal cancer in Phase 1; and a therapy for hepatitis B also in Phase 1. Our preclinical asthma and COPD program is partnered with AstraZeneca. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) partially funds our preclinical work on a vaccine for influenza. Symphony Dynamo, Inc. (SDI) funds our colorectal cancer trials and our preclinical hepatitis C therapeutic program. While the NIH and SDI provide program support, Dynavax has retained rights to seek strategic partners for future development and commercialization.

On August 7, 2007, Dynavax announced that the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a two-year $3.25 million grant to continue development of a novel universal influenza vaccine for controlling seasonal and emerging pandemic flu strains. The research at Dynavax, funded by the NIH starting in 2003, focuses on a new vaccine that incorporates a second-generation TLR9 agonist and the conserved influenza antigen nucleoprotein (NP). The new grant is directed toward advancing preclinical research into IND-enabling studies and product development.

Website: http://www.dynavax.com/