Juvaris BioTherapeutics: Colorado Roots

For those of you who do not know…Steven Dow, DVM, Ph.D., is the Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor of Juvaris Biotherapeutics. Dr. Dow currently serves as Associate Professor in the Departments of Clinical Sciences and Pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University and prior to that was an instructor and research scientist at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

Juvaris BioTherapeutics was created in 2003 to develop an immunotherapeutic product platform for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancers using lipid-DNA complexes. Cationic lipids are formulated with non-coding DNA (plasmid) to create the JuvImmune Immunostimulant, a lipid-DNA complex, which as a single product may have utility in multiple infectious disease and cancer applications. When combined with disease-specific antigens, the technology creates JuvaVax vaccines capable of activating substantial antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses, particularly induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Immunological responses elicited by the lipid-DNA complexes have been successfully demonstrated in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings in a variety of mammals including rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs and non-human primates. Moreover, substantial immune responses have been induced following oral and intranasal administration.

The lead vaccine products are for influenza and pneumonia and the company is also pursuing immunotherapy products for Hepatitis B and Biodefense applications. Approximately 12 months ago Juvaris closed a $6M Series A financing with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers out of their Pandemic & Biodefense fund.

So I put it to you, sophisticated readers of CLSDF, as Juvaris has subsequently set up shop with their headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Pleasanton, CA should CLSDF continue to cover and report on their progress? Or is Juvaris beyond the scope of CLSDF? Please leave your thoughts on the comments link below. Thank you!

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