GenVec, Inc. has announced a new contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue the development of adenovector-based vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) based on research and development done in collaboration with USDA-ARS and DHS S&T scientists at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Under this new agreement, GenVec will receive $3.8 million in program funding the first year and an additional $0.7 million if DHS exercises its renewal option under the contract.
Under this contract, GenVec will use its adenovector technology to develop additional FMD-serotype candidate vaccines. GenVec will also explore methods to increase the potency and simplify the production process of FMD vaccines developed under this contract as well as its previous contract with the DHS announced in 2007.
"This contract expands our ongoing efforts to develop adenovector-based FMD vaccines," said Dr. Paul Fischer, GenVec's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This new contract with the DHS will support new vaccine discovery and technology improvement for this important threat."