MBF Therapeutics Signs Agreement with Smithfield Foods to Collaborate on the Development of New Swine Vaccines

Using MBF Therapeutics’ proprietary vaccine platform and delivery system technology, the collaboration will seek to develop effective gene- based, T-cell directed vaccines for economically significant swine diseases.

January 10, 2020 – Ambler, PA – MBF Therapeutics, Inc., the leader in the development of DNA-based immunotherapeutic checkpoint inhibitor vaccines for the animal health market, has signed an agreement with Smithfield Foods, Inc. to collaborate on the design and development of swine vaccines based on the vaccine platform and delivery system technology proprietary to MBF Therapeutics.

MBF Therapeutics’ gene-based, T-cell directed vaccine platform and novel calcium phosphate delivery system (i.e., a nonviral adjuvant) will be used to create more effective swine vaccines that produce a robust and durable immune response. By eliciting responses in both T-cells and B-cells, these new and more effective swine vaccines will have the potential to reduce the use of antibiotics, chronic disease, and endemic viral reservoirs in pork production.

According to Thomas Tillett, CEO of MBF Therapeutics, the development of a more effective vaccine for porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) using MBFT’s calcium phosphate nanoparticle delivery will be the first phase of the collaborative project between MBF Therapeutics and Smithfield Foods. PRRS occurs worldwide in nearly all swine-producing countries and is currently the most economically significant disease that threatens U.S. swine production. Although several inactivated, attenuated vaccines for PRRS are on the market, all of them under perform.

The second phase of the collaborative project between MBF Therapeutics and Smithfield Foods will address the long-term need for better protective immunity to economically significant porcine viral infections through the development of next generation DN vaccines. “Whether it is taking PRRS protection to the next level, addressing the need for a cross-protective swine influenza vaccine, or applying a gene-based immunomodulator approach to solving the urgent need for a safe, cross protective and durable African Swine Fever vaccine, MBFT technology offers an innovative approach to vaccine design that is well suited for use in livestock,” said Mr. Tillett.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Smithfield on designing and developing new vaccines for infectious swine diseases,” said Tillett. “This collaboration will enable MBF Therapeutics to move research forward with our innovative gene-based, T-cell directed vaccine platform technology, which has great potential for transforming infectious disease protection.”

About MBF Therapeutics: MBFT (www.mbftherapeutics.com) MBFT is a clinical-stage animal health company developing and commercializing proprietary checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy technology for cancer and infectious diseases. T-cell activation precisely targets selected antigens associated with cancer cells or infectious pathogens while preventing T-cell exhaustion, thus, yielding a durable cell-mediated immunity. Exclusively licensed from the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, PA, and combined with a proprietary nonviral delivery system, this is a platform technology from which multiple innovative products can be developed for veterinary use where cellular antigens are well defined.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” concerning the development of MBF Therapeutics products, the potential benefits and attributes of those products, and the company’s expectations regarding its prospects. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are made as of the date of this press release. Actual results may vary. MBF Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason.