IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announces it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy of two IMUNON DNA-based Lassa virus vaccine candidates. Under the three-year agreement, the NIAID will assess the efficacy of PlaCCine DNA constructs against Lassa virus in guinea pig and non-human primate disease models, including both prime and prime-boost vaccine strategies.

Lassa virus is typically spread by rodents and can cause Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic-fever disease that is a significant and growing public health concern with approximately 5,000 deaths annually. Nearly 60 million people throughout West Africa are estimated to be at risk of contracting Lassa fever. Several unusually large outbreaks have occurred over the past few years with fatality rates of up to 30%. Because of its lethality and increasing incidence, NIAID and the World Health Organization have categorized Lassa virus as a Category A Priority Pathogen. There is currently no vaccine or therapeutic for Lassa virus.

“We are excited to be working with the Laboratory of Virology at NIAID to research a potential solution for combatting this life-threatening pathogen as we evaluate the hypothesis that a DNA-based vaccine may be an excellent modality for a Lassa virus vaccine,” said Dr. Corinne Le Goff, president and chief executive officer of IMUNON. “With its durable antigen expression, longer shelf-life at workable, standard refrigerated temperatures and flexible manufacturing, we are optimistic about our ongoing work to develop PlaCCine as a potentially superior alternative that can address the limitations of current commercial products particularly in developing countries around the world.”

“This CRADA is an example of one of our growth strategy pillars, namely, to help defray development costs via non-dilutive sources of capital.” Dr. Le Goff added.