Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 14, 2026
GeoVax Partners with CEPI to Advance Mpox Vaccine
TLDR
- GeoVax's CEPI deal gives GEO-MVA an independent testing edge, potentially making it a second mpox vaccine supplier by 2027.
- GeoVax's GEO-MVA will undergo Phase 3 immune-bridging via CEPI's lab network using standardized assays, with 500 participants starting Q4 2026.
- GeoVax and CEPI aim to diversify mpox vaccine supply, ensuring broader global access and better preparedness for future outbreaks.
- CEPI's global lab network, born from COVID-19, now tests mpox vaccines like GeoVax's GEO-MVA, processing over 120,000 samples to date.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it represents a critical step toward diversifying the global supply of mpox vaccines. Recent outbreaks have exposed vulnerabilities in vaccine availability, often relying on a single manufacturer. By leveraging CEPI's independent laboratory network, GeoVax aims to generate robust data that could lead to regulatory approval of GEO-MVA, offering an additional qualified source of MVA-based vaccines. This could enhance global preparedness, reduce dependency on limited supply chains, and enable faster, more equitable access to vaccines during outbreaks. Moreover, the partnership underscores the importance of standardized, independent evaluation in vaccine development, which can build trust among regulators and the public. As mpox continues to pose a public health threat, especially in regions with limited resources, having multiple vaccine suppliers is essential for effective response and biosecurity.
Summary
GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing vaccines and immunotherapies against high-consequence infectious diseases and solid tumor cancers, has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The agreement provides GeoVax with access to clinical trial sample testing services through the CEPI Centralised Laboratory Network to support its planned pivotal Phase 3 immune-bridging study of GEO-MVA, the company's Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-based vaccine candidate targeting mpox and smallpox. This collaboration allows GeoVax to utilize CEPI's global laboratory infrastructure, which uses standardized assays and reporting procedures to minimize variability in trial readouts and ensure consistent evaluation of vaccine performance by researchers and regulators. The agreement also supports GeoVax's broader strategy to establish GEO-MVA as an additional source of MVA-based mpox vaccine supply, addressing the need for diversified vaccine capacity amid recent global outbreaks.
GeoVax expects to initiate its approximately 500-participant pivotal Phase 3 study in the fourth quarter of 2026, with results anticipated in mid-2027. The independent testing through CEPI's network will provide standardized immunological data to inform regulatory interactions. "Independent evaluation is an important step toward building confidence in GEO-MVA among regulators, public-health organizations, governments and potential strategic partners," said David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax. He added that the larger objective is to create resilient MVA supply, reducing dependence on a single manufacturing infrastructure. Dr. Amy Shurtleff, Director of Laboratory Research and Innovation at CEPI, noted that the network was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to harmonize clinical testing and has since expanded to support vaccine developers worldwide. The agreement also allows CEPI to share anonymized summaries with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and others. GeoVax will cover all testing costs, and CEPI has not provided specific funding for GEO-MVA development. For more information, visit www.geovax.com or CEPI.net.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, GeoVax Partners with CEPI to Advance Mpox Vaccine
