Arbovax Receives Research Loan from N.C. Biotechnology Center

Raleigh, N.C. — Arbovax, Inc. has received a small-business research loan of $150,000 from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to support the company’s research and development program, according to a company statement released n Monday.

“We are delighted to receive this level of support from the Biotechnology Center,” said Malcolm Thomas, CEO. “It will greatly assist us in acquiring some essential equipment as well as support our research efforts. These programs from NCBC are of great value to early-stage companies such as ours, allowing us to stretch our funding dollars and giving us the additional time that is so critical to meeting milestones and raising the next round of financing.”

Arbovax is developing innovative technology to use in producing vaccines against insect-borne viruses. The World Health Organization ranks Arbovax’s initial focus, dengue fever, second only to malaria in its devastating global impact.

The company’s core technology, developed by Drs. Dennis Brown and Raquel Hernandez of North Carolina State University, provides a platform that offers improved vaccine technology in a cost-effective manner targeting a portfolio of arthropod-borne diseases, including dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile virus, chikungunya fever and yellow fever.

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.