Geneart AG, global leader in gene synthesis and specialist in the field of Synthetic Biology, announces being awarded a contract for the design and production of two DNA vaccine candidates against HIV by the UK HVC. The genes (blueprints for virus proteins), optimized and customized by Geneart, are to be used as basis for clinical studies.

Two gene constructs, developed by Geneart in cooperation with the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene at the University of Regensburg, are currently being evaluated at clinical phase-I/II under the umbrella of the European research syndicate EuroVacc, since phase-I results were promising. The genes ordered by the UK HVC are based on a different HIV isolate but rest on the same concept as the gene constructs already used in clinical studies. Blueprints of selected proteins of the HIV virus are modified using Geneart's proprietary GeneOptimizer Software such that they can be produced with maximal yield and therefore most efficiently, triggering an optimal immune response but at the same time losing their toxic capacity, thus contributing to an increased safety profile. Geneart will not only provide the respective genes, but will in addition - as an extension of the value chain - analyze and ensure the producibility of the resulting proteins in cell cultures (Expression Proof).

The UK HVC does not only benefit from the rational design of the respective genes or virus proteins but also from a production in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 as well as a documentation of the production process. Thereby, Geneart provides ideal conditions for the subsequent approval process. "This order shows once again how we established both gene design and gene synthesis as the gold standard for the development of vaccines. Customers benefit from optimal properties with respect to immune response and safety due to maximal design flexibility during the development of vaccines," said professor Dr Ralf Wagner, CEO and CSO of Geneart.

The UK HIV Vaccine Consortium is an integrated and project-managed collaboration between Imperial College London, St George's University London, University of Oxford, Royal Holloway - London University, IAVI and the Medical Research Council (Clinical Trials Unit) supported by a strategic award from the Wellcome Trust.

The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK.

In 2000, Geneart entered the gene synthesis market and has since become the global market leader. Presently, the company is one of the leading specialists in the Synthetic Biology field.