NIAID increase funding for Soligenix’s ricin toxin vaccine

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) recently exercised an operation for the evaluation of Soligenix, Inc.’s ricin toxin vaccine, called RiVax, to fund additional animal efficacy studies.

RiVax is a recombinant heat-stable subunit vaccine that contains a genetically-altered version of a ricin toxin A chain containing two mutations that inactivate the ricin molecule’s toxicity.

According to the company, the objectives of the contract will be to advance the development of its thermostabilization technology, called ThermoVax, in combination with RiVax as a medical countermeasure for ricin toxin exposure.

“The exercise of this option demonstrates the positive and productive collaboration between NIAID and the Soligenix team,” Soligenix President and CEO Christopher Schaber said. “We look forward to accelerating our work with NIAID and engaging the FDA to advance the RiVax program. We thank the NIAID team for its continued support and contribution to the Soligenix development program.”

The option now provides the company an additional $2 million in funding, which brings the total value of the contract to $18.7 million. Should all options be exercised, a total award of $24.7 million will go towards the support of preclinical, manufacturing, and clinical development activities necessary to advance the vaccine to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercial approval.