NeuroVax

NeuroVax is an experimental vaccine that was studied as a possible treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

The development programme for NeuroVax was terminated when the company developing this treatment, Orchestra Therapeutics Inc, filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Immune Response BioPharma now own the product and estimates that recruitment for a new Phase IIB NeuroVax study should begin by year end 2012. This will examine efficacy, safety and tolerance against a comparable drug, interferon beta-1a, for 12 months.

How does it work?

NeuroVax contains a combination of three protein fragments (peptides) which appear on the surface of T-cells involved in the immune response in MS. Studies suggested that treatment with NeuroVax stimulates production of certain regulatory T-cells, which in turn decrease the levels of other T-cells which attack myelin.

How is it given?

NeuroVax is injected into the muscle every four weeks.

Reference

Vandenbark AA, et al.
Therapeutic vaccination with a trivalent T-cell receptor (TCR) peptide vaccine restores deficient FoxP3 expression and TCR recognition in subjects with multiple sclerosis.
Immunology 2008;123(1):66-78.
abstract

NeuroVax vs. interferon B-1a phase 2B clinical study update.
Immune Response BioPharma press release, 14 March 2012.
read online

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