GeoVax Accelerates GEO-MVA Vaccine Development Amid Global Mpox Crisis

GeoVax Labs, Inc. has announced an accelerated development strategy for its GEO-MVA Mpox vaccine candidate, responding to the World Health Organization's (WHO) reaffirmation of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and a significant surge in cases across Africa. The urgency is underscored by the emergence of more virulent Mpox strains, such as Clade I, which has been confirmed in several countries outside Africa, including the United States, China, and parts of Europe.

The global Mpox crisis has seen over 21,000 confirmed cases in Africa in 2025 alone, surpassing the total for 2024, with healthcare systems in countries like Sierra Leone, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under severe strain. The situation is exacerbated by reduced international aid and the challenges posed by armed conflict and infrastructure collapse. With only 700,000 vaccine doses administered across 11 countries, the need for scalable and diversified vaccine solutions has never been more critical.

GeoVax's response includes finalizing manufacturing processes and initiating human trials to evaluate the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity against both Clade I and Clade II variants. The company is also developing an advanced manufacturing platform using a continuous avian cell line system to enable rapid, large-scale production. This approach aims to address the limitations of current egg-based methods and ensure equitable access to vaccines for high-risk and underserved populations.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has provided favorable scientific advice, supporting an expedited regulatory pathway for GEO-MVA. This development enhances the vaccine's potential for global procurement programs, including those led by WHO and UNICEF. GeoVax's commitment to accelerating vaccine development and ensuring equitable distribution reflects the urgent need to combat the Mpox crisis and prevent further global spread.