Maxygen Inc has received $2.4 million, three-year grant from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command to develop cross protective vaccines against three types of encephalitis virus.

Maxygen scientists will be working in collaboration with scientists at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases to develop a single vaccine antigen that is capable of protecting against Venezuelan, Western and Eastern equine encephalitis viruses. These viruses can cause infections in humans resulting in a spectrum of diseases from inapparent infection to severe neurological consequences including death.

"We are pleased to have another opportunity to demonstrate the value of our technologies in the vaccines field while also making a contribution towards an initiative of the National Strategy for Homeland Security," said Russell Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Maxygen. "Maxygen has already demonstrated early success in its ability to blend multiple antigens into a single vaccine designed to generate cross protective immunity against variants of important infectious agents. We are currently conducting research to create cross protective vaccines for three other viral diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B and Dengue) and malaria infection."

Maxygen Inc is focused on creating novel products using its integrated proprietary technologies for human therapeutics and industrial applications. Maxygen's technologies bring together advances in molecular biology and protein modification to create novel biotechnology products. Maxygen has strategic collaborations with leading organizations including Aventis, InterMune, Celltech, Lundbeck, ALK-Abello and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).

The US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's (USAMRMC) mission is to provide solutions to medical problems of importance to U.S. military troops at home and abroad.