VLP Therapeutics Announces Issuance of U.S. Composition of Matter Patent for i-α Virus Like Particle Platform Technology

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VLP Therapeutics, LLC. ("VLP"), a Gaithersburg-based biotechnology company, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 9,249,191, Virus Like Particle Composition. The patent protects key composition of matter of VLP's proprietary i-α virus like particles platform technology, and the pharmaceutical composition and vaccine for use in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases.  Utilizing this platform technology, VLP is currently developing preventative and therapeutic vaccines as well as next generation of targeted antibody agents to treat cancer, infectious diseases, such as Malaria, Dengue Fever and Zika virus disease, and auto-immune and neurological diseases.

"I am extremely pleased with the issuance of this key patent covering our platform technology," said Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Wakaru Akahata. "Our product candidates have already shown that they are capable of inducing very strong immune response in various disease models, which confirms my belief that this technology has a potential to treat a number of diseases with high unmet medical needs. With this patent, as well as additional patents we are actively prosecuting, we are set to move forward with our R&D programs rapidly," he continued.

About i-α VLP Technology
The immune system is a biological structure that works to protect against disease. The human immune system detects foreign objects such as viruses, bacteria or abnormal own tissues (like cancer cells) in the body, and not only tries to eliminate these objects but memorizes them so it can protect the body from these objects in the future. Vaccines utilize such immune system to protect us from various diseases.

Traditional vaccines are made using live viruses, which, though rare, cause serious safety issues. Unlike traditional vaccines, VLP's novel, proprietary platform technology was created by utilizing virus like particles. Virus like particles are identical to the authentic native viruses in their shapes, but do not carry any genetic material of native viruses. Without genetic material, these particles cannot replicate themselves. This means that when presented to the body, immune system will recognize the particles as foreign objects, triggering effective immune responses, but without causing the side effects associated with the native virus.

Utilizing these virus like particles, VLP Therapeutics developed a proprietary, plug-and-play platform called inserted alphavirus virus-like particle (i-αVLP) using the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) VLP. Through this adaptable platform, foreign antigens can be inserted into two specific sites of the envelope protein on the surface of i-αVLP. With 240 copies of envelope protein per CHIKV VLP, each i-αVLP can display a tremendous 480 copies of an inserted antigen. This highly symmetrical, icosahedral dense array of antigens are shown to induce very strong immune responses, resulting in the superior efficacy.  Additionally, unlike traditional vaccines, VLPs themselves are non-replicative because they do not carry any genetic material, and therefore are safe, having been used to make the FDA-approved vaccines for Hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus.  VLP Therapeutics has established a method to efficiently produce i-αVLPs which can be scaled for commercial production.

About VLP Therapeutics
VLP Therapeutics, LLC (VLP) was established in 2012 by seasoned biopharmaceutical veterans with mission to develop innovative medical treatment which transforms traditional vaccine and targeted antibody therapies to address global unmet medical needs. Its vision is to combat the 21st century global public health problems through revolutionary next generation i-αVLP technology platform.  VLP is currently developing preventative and therapeutic vaccines as well as next generation of targeted antibody agents to treat cancer, infectious diseases, such as Malaria, Dengue Fever and Zika virus disease, and auto-immune and neurological diseases. 

For more information, please visit www.vlptherapeutics.com.

CONTACT: Kei Tolliver, 240-743-9812

SOURCE VLP Therapeutics, LLC.

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