GeoVax Receives Patent Allowance for Multi-Antigen COVID-19 Vaccine Design

GeoVax Labs, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application No. 17/888,131, titled "Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara (rMVA) Expressing Spike, Membrane, and Envelope Proteins of SARS-CoV-2." This patent protects the company's novel vaccine design that uses its proprietary Modified Vaccinia Ankara platform to deliver three key structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus—Spike, Membrane, and Envelope—rather than relying solely on the Spike protein as current mRNA vaccines do.

By including multiple antigens, the GeoVax vaccine is designed to trigger a broader and more durable immune response, potentially helping maintain protection even as the virus continues to evolve. This approach represents a significant departure from single-antigen vaccine technologies that have dominated the COVID-19 response. The patent allowance strengthens GeoVax's intellectual property portfolio covering its multi-antigen MVA vaccine platform, which supports multiple programs targeting infectious diseases.

David A. Dodd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GeoVax, stated, "This patent allowance is additional validation of our innovative approach to vaccine design. Our goal has always been to move beyond single antigens delivery technologies with the intention of providing broader, longer-lasting protection—especially for vulnerable populations, such as the immunocompromised, who remain at significant risk despite widespread vaccination." The company's focus on vulnerable populations addresses a critical gap in current vaccine protection, as immunocompromised individuals often generate weaker immune responses to existing vaccines.

The new patent complements GeoVax's existing protection for GEO-CM04S1, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials across several patient populations. The same technology platform also underpins GeoVax's programs for targeting smallpox and hemorrhagic fever viruses, supporting U.S. and global efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing and pandemic preparedness. This multi-disease approach positions the company as a potential contributor to broader biodefense and public health infrastructure.

GEO-CM04S1 is GeoVax's dual-antigen COVID-19 vaccine candidate designed to stimulate both antibody and T-cell immune responses. The vaccine is being evaluated in multiple Phase 2 clinical studies, including use as a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients, a booster for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and a durable booster for healthy adults previously vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. For more information about the current status of clinical trials and other updates, visit https://www.geovax.com.

The implications of this patent allowance extend beyond COVID-19 to future pandemic preparedness. By developing vaccine platforms that can deliver multiple antigens, companies like GeoVax may be better positioned to respond to emerging viral threats with broader protection. This approach could reduce the need for frequent vaccine updates as viruses mutate, potentially offering more stable long-term solutions for public health systems worldwide. The technology's application to other infectious diseases suggests a versatile platform that could be adapted for various pathogens, representing a strategic advance in vaccine development methodology.