Valneva SE (INRLF) and Dynavax Technologies (DVAX) last week announced a collaboration to initiate a vaccine program for the current coronavirus, COVID-19. Dynavax is providing technical expertise and the company’s proprietary receptor 9 agonist adjuvant, CpG 1018. Dynavax developed CpG 1018 to provide an increased vaccine immune response, which has been demonstrated in HEPLISAV-B, the companies said in a statement. Valneva will use its Biosafety Level 3 laboratory capabilities to “rapidly leverage its large scale, Vero-based, viral Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland,” they added. Valneva and Dynavax said they will work with regulatory authorities to align on the optimal strategy to execute an expedited clinical development path, with the goal to initiate clinical trials before the end of 2020. Shares of Dynavax in midday trading are up 22%, or 76c, to $4.16.
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