Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., a Baltimore-based biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of therapies for genetic diseases and vaccines, today announced the dosing of the first and second participants in its COVID-19 vaccine Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in Japan.

The vaccine, called EXG-5003, is an intradermally-injected, temperature-controllable, self-replicating RNA vaccine expressing the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Akihiro Ko, CEO of Elixirgen Therapeutics, said "We are pleased to begin our Phase 1/2 study for EXG-5003, which has been in development since March of 2020. There is an ongoing global need for COVID-19 vaccines, and we believe in the importance of contributing to the public health effort."

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is being conducted at Fujita Health University Hospital in Aichi, Japan, and it will assess the safety and immunogenicity of EXG-5003 in 60 adult participants aged between 20 to 55. Fujita Health University is funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development for this clinical trial.

About Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc.

Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a Baltimore-based biotechnology company which is focused on curing humanity's ailments through innovations in cell and gene therapy and vaccine development. Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc. is now applying its mRNA platform to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

About Fujita Health University

Fujita Health University plays a major role in treating COVID-19 patients and conducting its clinical trials in Japan.