Dynavax Technologies' immunostimulatory sequence (ISS)-based anthrax vaccine may have the potential to provide higher levels of immunity and could be a "potent new vaccine approach for anthrax," the company said April 4.

Dynavax presented its findings at the 2005 American Society for Microbiology's Biodefense Research meeting. The study was supported by a three-and-a-half year, $3.7 million grant to Dynavax from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The 2003 award supports research and development of an advanced anthrax vaccine.

Experiments showed that the vaccine demonstrated a significant increase in potency when compared to the currently available anthrax vaccine and a prototype second-generation vaccine, the company said.

"Our novel, proprietary anthrax vaccine formulation has potential as a fast and effective alternative to the current vaccine -- known for its difficult administration and severely limiting side effects -- as well as to second-generation approaches that combine rPA with alum and may not have sufficient potency to confer immunity," said Dino Dina, MD, president and chief executive officer.

"These early experiments show the robustness and enhanced potency of our ISS-based approach and provide a strong rationale for continued development of a vaccine that could provide enhanced protection from a significant bioterror threat," Dina said.