N4 Pharma PLC’s (LON:N4P) Nuvec delivery system has been shown to boost patients’ immune responses without the need for an additional adjuvant.
Nuvec works by delivering DNA directly into cells in a bid to encourage the production of anti-cancer antigens.
READ: EU innovation fund to cover some of Nuvec’s development costs
AIM-quoted N4 had thought any vaccine using the system might also need an adjuvant included in it to help stimulate an immune response.
But the research study showed that Nuvec had a “clear adjuvant effect” on its own, meaning an additional adjuvant would not be needed in vaccines using the delivery system.
N4 Pharma said this would simplify and reduce the production of the final vaccine and mean less antigen would be required.
Importantly, the immune response has been achieved using a dose of Nuvec particles that has shown no signs of liver toxicity, which is a common problem when using other delivery systems.
“We are pleased with the Nuvec results received to date and will continue to focus on the many opportunities that we believe will exist for Nuvec to be used to develop a range of different vaccines and cancer treatments,” said chief executive Nigel Theobald.
“We are building a compelling data package to aide our commercial collaboration discussions which we continue to progress.”
Shares were up 18.4% to 5.8p shortly before midday on Monday.