PacificGMP Inc., and MediVas, LLC, have formed a collaborative effort to develop a commercial scale production process for Medivas' next generation subunit vaccine utilizing Medivas's novel amino acid-based Poly Ester Amide copolymers (PEA).

MediVas' polymers are the first of a new generation of absorbable and biocompatible drug and biologic delivery platforms. Under this collaboration, PacificGMP will work with MediVas in developing the capability of manufacturing large quantities of subunit vaccines to protect against such diseases as seasonal and pandemic influenza, among many other potential candidates.

PacificGMP will utilize its expertise in disposable bioprocessing and its unique technology to scale up the production process and manufacturing for MediVas' initial candidates. Use of this disposable bioprocessing technology will allow for faster production, with greatly reduced overall manufacturing costs. This process also mitigates the possibility for cross-contamination in production which should ultimately result in vaccines that will be available to the public in a much shorter time period.

MediVas' infectious disease and immunology platforms include rapid response formulations for next generation vaccines. MediVas' lead preventative vaccine programme represents a novel process to develop and manufacture vaccines for both seasonal and pandemic influenza. In addition, the Company is also developing therapeutic vaccines with a lead program targeted against certain cancers.

"We continue to advance our capabilities in developing important next-generation biocompatible drug delivery solutions," said Kenneth Carpenter, president and CEO of MediVas. "We are confident in our ability to create innovative new drug delivery technologies across multiple therapeutic areas. PacificGMP is ideally suited to allow us to take the next step and bring our new therapeutic technology into the clinic and then into the public sphere".

"PacificGMP is excited to assist MediVas with this important project. We anticipate that production of Medivas' subunit vaccines in disposable closed systems will be a significant milestone in the development of rapid response formulations for next generation vaccines. We are delighted to announce this collaboration and to assist MediVas in moving forward with this novel technology," said Leigh Pierce, president of PacificGMP.