PR83604

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 8, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

EpiVax, Inc., is using advanced computational tools to accelerate a COVID-19

vaccine candidate (EPV-CoV19) for healthcare workers (HCW) into clinical trials

in 6 months. Today, EpiVax announces its partnership with GAIA Vaccine

Foundation ("GVF") to crowd-source funds for the project and its pledge to make

a free license available to developing countries who qualify, in the context of

this partnership.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/542055/EpiVax_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1142553/GAIA_Logo.jpg

EPV-CoV19 is a peptide-based, epitope-driven vaccine that can be rapidly and

safely produced in most countries. Applying EpiVax's expertise enabled the

selection of sequences representing all circulating SARS-CoV-2 genomes that

will drive a T cell-mediated immune response, providing HCW with immune system

"body armor", reducing their risk of morbidity and mortality. EPV-CoV19 will

enter US clinical trials once funds have been raised ($1.75M).

GVF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will enable private citizens and

foundations to contribute to development of EPV-CoV19. GVF's mission is to

reduce incidence of infectious diseases that disproportionately affect the

under-served and promote the development of globally relevant, accessible

vaccines that can be distributed on a not-for-profit basis in the developing

world. Annie De Groot, MD, EpiVax CEO/CSO, states "The soul of each company

will be revealed during this crisis. Personally, I do not believe this is the

time to become a billionaire. Each of us should do what we do best to reduce

the impact of COVID-19 globally." As it is the mission of EpiVax to "improve

human health everywhere", the company has granted GVF a cost-free, royalty-free

license to the EPV-CoV19 design for use in countries that can produce and test

the vaccine candidate on the Least Developed Countries list published by the

United Nations. Collaborators and a clinical trial site in West Africa have

been identified.

Donations to the GVF COVID-19 vaccine fund will be entirely dedicated to the

preclinical and clinical development phases of EPV-CoV19.

For more information or to make a donation to the program, visit

http://www.gaiavaccine.org/covid19.

About EpiVax:

EpiVax is a biotechnology company with a broad portfolio of projects, including

vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases, autoimmunity and cancer.

www.epivax.com

About GVF:

GVF is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports activities to advance healthcare

accessibility and educational programs to inform the public about diseases,

including HIV, and the importance of vaccines in West Africa.

www.gaiavaccine.org

Press Contact:

Annie De Groot, MD, EpiVax

+1 401-272-2123

KNelson@epivax.com

SOURCE: EpiVax Inc.