Genvax Technologies, a startup dedicated to bringing advances in self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine production to animal health, announced today it has secured $6.5 million in series seed funding. This funding moves the company toward USDA and international regulatory approval of its vaccines in anticipation of any foreign animal disease outbreak in order to increase health and profitability in livestock production.
The company's proprietary saRNA platform allows for rapid development of herd or flock-specific vaccines matched 100% to the variant strain circulating in an animal-production operation. By inserting a specific transgene or “gene of interest” (GOI) matched to the variant strain into the platform, the saRNA can generate an antibody response without requiring the whole pathogen.
“The threat posed to producers and consumers by foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) and constantly mutating variants of swine influenza is extraordinary,” said Joel Harris, CEO and co-founder of Genvax Technologies. “The goal is to develop a vaccine that matches 100 percent to the specific strain when a disease outbreak occurs. For ASF, Genvax’s vaccine could be an important tool for eradication efforts and may alleviate any concerns with trading partners abroad. In addition, the financial and public support of multiple stakeholders like United Animal Health and others in the food industry is a huge validation of this technology's promise.”
In April 2022, Genvax announced it had received more than $145,000 in grant funding from the USDA-Agricultural Research Services Plum Island Animal Disease Center (USDA-ARS-PIADC) and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to develop a saRNA vaccine for African Swine Fever virus. ASF can cause up to 100% mortality in pigs and could decimate the income of U.S. pork producers and force layoffs, significantly reducing rural employment. Economic models estimate the worst case scenario of an ASF outbreak in the US would result in a $50 billion loss to the domestic pig industry.