Evaxion Biotech AS (NASDAQ:EVAX) shares surged 10.6% on Thursday after the clinical-stage TechBio company revealed promising advances in its cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine candidate, EVX-V1.
The Copenhagen-based firm said its AI-Immunology™ discovery system has identified a new set of CMV antigens that markedly reduce viral activity in preclinical testing. These previously unexplored antigens produced targeted immune responses, blocked viral infection, and limited cell-to-cell transmission in both cell-based and animal infection models.
EVX-V1 integrates these fresh AI-derived antigens with AI-enhanced versions of traditional CMV vaccine components. Notably, Evaxion’s proprietary AI-optimized pre-fusion glycoprotein B (gB) antigen outperformed conventional gB antigens, demonstrating stronger CMV neutralization.
“We are very excited by the new data demonstrating the unique capability of AI-Immunology™ to find novel protective vaccine targets where no others have been able to do so,” said Birgitte Rønø, CSO and interim CEO of Evaxion.
The company continues to progress EVX-V1 through preclinical development, expanding its analysis and refinement of the antigens. At the same time, Evaxion is evaluating partnership opportunities to help accelerate the program toward non-clinical and clinical testing stages.
Despite decades of research, CMV still lacks an approved vaccine and remains a major unmet medical challenge. Evaxion’s multi-antigen approach is designed to broaden the potential protection of its candidate by targeting the virus through multiple complementary mechanisms.