CRANBURY, NJ, June 27, 2012 – Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno visited the headquarters of VaxInnate Corporation today, where she continued her statewide tour to support the expansion of New Jersey’s life sciences companies and lauded the biotechnology company for its commitment to the state and efforts to develop novel vaccines.

“The Christie Administration has made it a priority to improve New Jersey’s business climate to ensure industries like the life sciences and leading companies like VaxInnate increase their investment here and grow quality jobs for our state’s residents,” Lt. Governor Guadagno said. “We are happy to have the opportunity to work with VaxInnate as it continues to grow and prosper in the Garden State.”

VaxInnate is a biotechnology firm applying proprietary technology to the development of novel vaccines for three key infectious diseases. These include influenza; dengue fever, a growing disease that affects millions globally; and Clostridium difficile, the cause of increasing disease and death, primarily among the elderly in developed countries. In the area of influenza, VaxInnate is working with the U.S. government on vaccines for pandemic and seasonal influenza, including avian or bird flu, a global public health priority.

During her visit to VaxInnate’s Cranbury headquarters, Lt. Governor Guadagno said the nation was looking to New Jersey’s life sciences sector for new vaccines and treatments for many common diseases, especially as the population ages. She noted that New Jersey offers a convenient location, a highly skilled and educated workforce, excellent transportation, and a positive business climate.

Vaxinnate executives talked with the Lt. Governor about the company’s plans for future growth in New Jersey, including expansion of existing laboratories and offices and the hiring of additional employees. The company has 56 employees today.

CEO Wayne Pisano also outlined the company’s potential interest in a vaccine manufacturing facility to meet U.S. and worldwide needs. VaxInnate currently outsources manufacturing to contractors in other states and countries.
 

“We’re honored to have Lt. Governor Guadagno visit us, tour our facilities, and discuss VaxInnate’s promising research on vaccines, which prevent death and disability and reduce healthcare costs,” Pisano said. “We thank her for her leadership in promoting the life sciences industry and for her interest in helping VaxInnate grow and prosper in New Jersey, our home for the past eight years."

About VaxInnate

Established in 2002, VaxInnate is a privately-held biotechnology company in Cranbury, NJ that is pioneering breakthrough technology for use in developing novel and proprietary vaccines. VaxInnate’s vaccines focus on infectious diseases, including seasonal and pandemic flu, dengue fever and Clostridium difficile. VaxInnate’s technology has the potential to dramatically improve the potency, manufacturing capacity and cost-effectiveness of vaccines.

In 2011, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded a contract to VaxInnate worth up to $196 million over five years to fund the development of seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines using recombinant technology.

VaxInnate has already generated positive Phase I and Phase II clinical data for its flu vaccines. These prototype seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines were also demonstrated to have superior potency in elderly subjects. Most recently, the company began evaluating a vaccine for avian or bird flu. For more information about VaxInnate, please visit http://www.vaxinnate.com.

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