Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:INO) reported that it has finalized collaborative research agreements with the Wistar Institute for therapeutic and preventive DNA-based immunotherapy products and applications for cancers and infectious diseases advanced by David B. Weiner, Ph.D., and Wistar lab. The company will possess the exclusive right to respective new intellectual, in-license property advanced in this collaboration.
The expert view
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, the CEO and President of Inovio, said that this new deal with Wistar begins a whole new chapter of company’s R&D leadership in DNA-based immunotherapies. He congratulated Dr. Weiner for his multiple new positions at Wistar and the considerably expanded laboratory and resources accessible to him to continue working on his life’s passion. The CEO added that they look forward to a fruitful and long association with the Wistar to continue developing innovative DNA-based immunotherapies as well as monoclonal antibody technology.
The contributions
The Wistar Institute boasts a storied tradition of global leadership, commercialization and training, and accomplishment in the field of immune therapies and vaccines. Their technology has achieved significant health developments including the discoveries of vaccines against rabies, rubella, and rotavirus. Wistar technology led in the development of varicella, zoster and hepatitis A vaccines along with revolutionary products for the treatment or diagnosis of heart, autoimmune, and other infectious diseases.
The past experience
Dr. Weiner is a leader in the field of DNA vaccines and immunotherapies and one of the founders of VGX Pharmaceuticals, which turned into Inovio Pharmaceuticals after a corporate merger. He is Chairman of Inovio’s Scientific Advisory Board and also a member of company’s Board of Directors. As the Wistar’s Executive VP and Director of its newly set Vaccine Center, Dr. Weiner is set to have the resources as well as mandate to considerably expand Wistar’s immunology research plans and apply translational expertise to fill the gap between clinical and research application. He will also contribute in tumor immunology-based research to support the ongoing work and objective of Wistar.
