IMVAMUNE® has been shown in clinical trials to-date to be a well tolerated smallpox vaccine in healthy subjects and persons with contraindications to traditional smallpox vaccines. IMVAMUNE® is based on a live non-replicating MVA-BN® (a strain of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara) virus. Although the MVA-BN® virus is highly attenuated it is still capable to establish a potent immune response.
IMVAMUNE® – a unique profile A number of differences exist between IMVAMUNE® and traditional smallpox vaccines. The vaccine virus contained in IMVAMUNE® does not proliferate in the body and therefore does not generate the post-vaccination complications associated with traditional smallpox vaccines. In addition, in recent pre-clinical trials, IMVAMUNE® has been shown to generate an immune response faster than traditional replicating vaccines (3-4 days vs. 10-14 days). Furthermore, IMVAMUNE® is injected – much like other modern vaccines today – rather than pricked into the skin with a bifurcated needle as is the case with traditional smallpox vaccines.
IMVAMUNE® – best characterised MVA smallpox vaccine candidate Bavarian Nordic’s programme to develop a safe smallpox vaccine began in 1999 with the goal of being the first safe smallpox vaccine approved for use by the general population, including the immune compromised. To achieve that objective, the company’s clinical development focus has been to test the safety of IMVAMUNE® in immune-compromised populations and determine IMVAMUNE®’s efficacy on approved animal models.
To-date, the company has shown IMVAMUNE® to be the best characterised MVA based on:
Comprehensive preclinical animal data (in 2 mice models and a non-human primate model)
Completed phase I and II studies in healthy subjects, subjects with atopic dermatitis and HIV infected subjects
Additional Phase II studies started in at risk populations (HIV, atopic dermatitis)
