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HISTORY

2007


  • Merial received conditional USDA approval of canine melanoma vaccine
  • AnGes MG stopped Phase 3 angiogenesis trial early upon meeting statistical significance
  • Sanofi-aventis initiated Phase 3 angiogenesis trial
  • Initiated Phase 1 trial of pandemic influenza vaccine

2006


  • Initiated high-dose Allovectin-7® Phase 3 registration trial for metastatic melanoma
  • CMV vaccine Phase 2 trial opened for hematopoietic stem cell transplant donors and recipients
  • Demonstrated 100% protection in ferrets against H5N1 influenza with single vaccination

2005


  • Aqua Health (Novartis) vaccine for salmon received approval in Canada
  • Established angiogenesis collaboration with AnGes MG
  • Merck advanced in cancer vaccine program
    • Exercised and expanded cancer vaccine options
    • Initiated cancer vaccine Phase 1 trial
  • Initiated IL-2/electroporation Phase 1 trial
  • Completed Special Protocol Assessment of Phase 3 pivotal trial for Allovectin-7®
  • Completed registered direct placement of stock with net proceeds of $21 million

2004


  • Conducted Phase 1 testing of bivalent and trivalent CMV vaccine candidates
  • Advanced to Phase 1 testing with anthrax vaccine at NIH-funded sites
  • Completed registered direct placement of stock with net proceeds of $17+ million
  • Generated record revenues of $14.5 million

2003


  • Launched independent vaccine development program for cytomegalovirus, or CMV
  • Launched independent vaccine development program for anthrax
  • Moved to new facility to consolidate operations and upgrade manufacturing capacity
  • Entered agreement with Vaccine Research Center of NIH for bulk DNA vaccine manufacturing

2002


  • Issuance of broad patent covering methods for the non-viral, gene-based delivery of physiologically active polypeptides or proteins
  • Received STTR grant from NIAID to collaborate with Ohio State University on a preclinical research project to develop DNA vaccines against anthrax.
  • Awarded manufacturing contract for clinical-grade supplies of an experimental DNA vaccine against Ebola for initial clinical development by Vaccine Research Center of NIH
  • Merial exercised options for specific animal health vaccine indications
  • Centocor expanded cancer vaccine license agreement with Vical

2001


  • Issuance of key naked DNA patent covering induction of an immune response by administration of naked DNA to any tissue
  • Issuance of University of Michigan patent, licensed to Vical, for direct injection of genetic material into tumors or surrounding tissue using viral, lipid-based or other non-viral gene delivery compositions
  • Gained access to enhancing technologies including poloxamer technology (CytRx) and electroporation technology (Ichor)
  • Appointed prestigious Scientific Advisory Board
  • Merck initiated human testing of a prime-boost vaccine regimen employing Vical's DNA technology

2000


  • Follow-on offering in January of 3,000,000 shares at $36.50
  • Entered strategic partnership with Human Genome Sciences

1999


  • Pfizer licensed gene delivery technology for animal health applications
  • Merck initiated naked DNA HIV vaccine trial
  • Merial selected initial targets for animal health naked DNA vaccines

1998


  • Patent issued for lipid-mediated DNA delivery
  • Centocor licensed naked DNA for cancer vaccines
  • Allovectin-7® entered Phase III registration trials for melanoma
  • Leuvectin® entered Phase II trials for kidney cancer

1997


  • Additional patents issued for naked DNA applications
  • Allovectin-7® started Phase II trial for head and neck cancer
  • Leuvectin® started Phase I trial for prostate cancer
  • Aventis Pasteur started Phase I malaria vaccine trial
  • Aventis Pharma licensed naked DNA to treat neurodegenerative diseases
  • Merck licensed naked DNA for therapeutic vaccines against infectious diseases

1996


  • Merck started Phase I trial with DNA vaccine to prevent influenza
  • Collaboration with Stanford on Vaxid DNA vaccines for B-cell lymphoma
  • First patent issued from 1989 filing on naked DNA technology

1995


  • Allovectin-7® entered Phase II clinical trials
  • Leuvectin® entered Phase I clinical trials
  • Merial licensed DNA vaccines for veterinary applications
  • Follow-on offering in September of 2,500,000 shares at $12.25

1994


  • Allovectin-7® entered Phase I clinical trials
  • Merck expanded naked DNA infectious disease vaccine license
  • Aventis Pasteur licensed naked DNA for infectious disease vaccines

1993


  • Initial public offering in March of 2,000,000 shares at $5.00
  • Follow-on offering in July of 2,000,000 shares at $7.00

1991


  • Merck licensed naked DNA for infectious disease vaccines

1989


  • Discovered naked DNA and filed patent applications

1987


  • Incorporated in April to research & develop proprietary lipid chemistry
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