TECHNOLOGY

PDS Biotechnology Corporation was founded to develop and commercialize novel therapies for cancer and infectious diseases utilizing the proprietary Versamune™ immunotechnology. The technology is based on the discovery that nanoparticles composed of certain structure-specific cationic (positively charged) lipids are taken up very efficiently by cells of the immune system. These nanoparticles are therefore able to efficiently deliver protein and peptide antigens (disease associated proteins or peptides) to cells of the immune system, stimulating powerful disease-specific immune responses. In addition, the proprietary nanoparticles also have the inherent ability to simultaneously act as potent and safe immune stimulators (adjuvants) by activating the immune system and inducing production of key immune chemicals known as cytokines and chemokines. Efficient activation of cytotoxic T-cells of the immune system results in potent and specific eradication of diseased or infected cells containing disease associated proteins or peptides. This results in effective elimination of the cancer, or viral or bacterial disease. Published and unpublished studies on the mechanism of action of the technology indicate that unlike existing aluminum, bacterial and DNA-based adjuvants, Versamune™ activates the MAP Kinase signaling pathway. Further differentiating VersamuneTM from other adjuvants is its ability to effectively activate NF-kB, while minimizing the production of TNF-alpha, the immunomodulator responsible for often observed toxic inflammatory immune responses to other adjuvants. PDS Biotechnology’s platform Versamune™ technology is a very simple, cost effective and potent yet safe technology that will facilitate the development of simple, potent and safe vaccines and immunotherapies.

The dual function/mechanism of the Versamune™ technology is illustrated below.