Vaxart

American biotechnology company

Vaxart headquarters

Vaxart, Inc. is an American biotechnology company focused on developing oral vaccines administered by tablet rather than by injection. The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

History

Vaxart was founded in 2004 by Sean Tucker, who was a graduate student at the time. The company initially focused on developing vaccines for influenza and other respiratory viruses. In 2018, Vaxart became a publicly traded company through a reverse merger with Aviragen Therapeutics.

Technology

Vaxart's technology platform is based on the use of adenovirus vectors to deliver vaccine antigens in a tablet form. This approach aims to stimulate both systemic and mucosal immune responses, potentially offering advantages over traditional injectable vaccines. The oral delivery system is designed to be more convenient and accessible, especially in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Research and Development

Vaxart has been involved in the development of vaccines for a variety of infectious diseases, including influenza, norovirus, and COVID-19. In 2020, the company announced that it was working on an oral COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The vaccine entered clinical trials, and Vaxart has been exploring partnerships to advance its development.

COVID-19 Vaccine

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vaxart developed an oral vaccine candidate, VXA-CoV2-1. The vaccine is designed to be stable at room temperature, which could simplify distribution and administration. Early clinical trials have been conducted to assess its safety and immunogenicity.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Vaxart has collaborated with various organizations to advance its vaccine candidates. The company has received funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and has partnered with other biotechnology firms to enhance its research capabilities.

Controversies

In 2020, Vaxart faced scrutiny over its claims of being selected for the U.S. government's Operation Warp Speed program. The company later clarified that it was not directly funded by the program but was involved in preliminary studies.

Related pages

• Biotechnology
• Vaccine
• COVID-19 pandemic