GeoVax Secures Patent for Multi-Antigen COVID-19 Vaccine Design

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application covering a novel COVID-19 vaccine design. The patent protects a vaccine that uses GeoVax's proprietary Modified Vaccinia Ankara platform to deliver three key structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus—Spike, Membrane, and Envelope—rather than relying solely on the Spike protein as current mRNA vaccines do.

This multi-antigen approach is designed to trigger a broader and more durable immune response, potentially maintaining protection as the virus continues to evolve. David A. Dodd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GeoVax, stated that the patent allowance validates the company's innovative approach to vaccine design, which aims to move beyond single-antigen technologies to provide broader, longer-lasting protection, especially for vulnerable populations like the immunocompromised.

The patent strengthens GeoVax's intellectual property portfolio covering its multi-antigen MVA vaccine platform, which supports multiple programs targeting infectious diseases. It complements the company's existing protection for GEO-CM04S1, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials across several patient populations. The same technology platform also underpins GeoVax's programs for targeting smallpox and hemorrhagic fever viruses, supporting U.S. and global efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing and pandemic preparedness.

GEO-CM04S1 is GeoVax's dual-antigen COVID-19 vaccine candidate designed to stimulate both antibody and T-cell immune responses. The vaccine is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical studies, including use as a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients, a booster for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and a durable booster for healthy adults previously vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. For more information about the current status of clinical trials and other updates, visit https://www.geovax.com.

The development is significant because it represents a potential advancement in COVID-19 vaccine technology at a time when virus variants continue to emerge. Current vaccines focusing primarily on the Spike protein have shown reduced effectiveness against some variants, making approaches that target multiple viral proteins potentially more resilient. This could lead to vaccines that require fewer boosters and provide better protection for immunocompromised individuals who respond poorly to current options.

For the biotechnology industry, GeoVax's patent strengthens the company's competitive position in the vaccine development space and validates its platform technology for broader applications beyond COVID-19. The multi-antigen approach could influence future vaccine development for other infectious diseases, potentially changing how researchers design vaccines for rapidly mutating viruses. This advancement supports global pandemic preparedness efforts by potentially providing more robust vaccine options that remain effective as pathogens evolve.