GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced on September 14, 2026, a Memorandum of Agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to utilize the CEPI Centralised Laboratory Network for independent testing of clinical trial samples from its planned pivotal Phase 3 immune-bridging study of GEO-MVA, an MVA-based vaccine candidate targeting mpox and smallpox. The agreement is a critical step in GeoVax's strategy to expand and diversify MVA vaccine supply amid recurring global mpox outbreaks.
The Phase 3 study, expected to enroll approximately 500 participants, is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with results anticipated in mid-2027. By leveraging CEPI's network—the largest global group of laboratories dedicated to harmonizing immunological assessment of vaccines against epidemic and pandemic threats—GeoVax aims to minimize variability in trial readouts and generate independent, standardized data to support regulatory submissions. This independent evaluation is expected to build confidence among regulators, public-health organizations, and potential partners.
David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, emphasized the broader implications: "Independent evaluation is an important step toward building confidence in GEO-MVA... But the larger objective extends beyond development of another mpox vaccine. The global preparedness community needs resilient MVA supply." He noted that successful testing and licensure could pave the way for an additional qualified supply source, reducing dependence on a single manufacturing infrastructure and enabling production closer to at-risk populations.
Dr. Amy Shurtleff, Director of Laboratory Research and Innovation at CEPI, highlighted the network's role: "Our new agreement with GeoVax enables the company to access validated, high-quality mpox testing tools that could fast-track its promising GEO-MVA mpox vaccine through development and give the world further options to fight this harmful, recurring disease." The network, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, has served over 60 vaccine developers and processed more than 120,000 samples.
The agreement also allows CEPI to share anonymized summaries of sample-testing results with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and others, advancing CEPI's mission to transform pandemic response. GeoVax will cover all testing costs, and CEPI has not provided specific funding for GEO-MVA's development.
This news matters because recent mpox outbreaks have exposed vulnerabilities in vaccine supply chains. If GEO-MVA proves successful, it could become a vital additional source of MVA-based vaccines, enhancing global biosecurity and preparedness. For investors, the agreement de-risks the regulatory pathway and supports GeoVax's capital-efficient strategy. For the public, it signals progress toward more diversified and accessible vaccine options against a disease that continues to pose international health threats. GeoVax maintains a global intellectual property portfolio and continues to evaluate strategic partnerships aligned with its priorities.
