The World Health Organization's recent declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the fourth time highlights the escalating threat posed by the Clade 1 strain of the Mpox virus. This strain, previously confined to Central Africa, is now emerging in Europe, Asia, and North America, including multiple confirmed cases in the United States. The detection of Clade 1 viral particles in wastewater across several U.S. states suggests silent transmission may be occurring, underscoring the urgent need for effective vaccine strategies.
Currently, the global response to Mpox is hampered by reliance on a single manufacturer for the preferred vaccine, based on the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) platform. This dependency poses significant risks to biosecurity, affordability, and equitable distribution, especially as African nations alone have requested 20 million doses for 2025 against an estimated global annual capacity of only 2–5 million doses.
GeoVax Labs, Inc. is addressing this critical gap with the development of GEO-MVA, a U.S.-based MVA vaccine for Mpox and smallpox. GEO-MVA is designed as a scalable, cost-effective alternative to the existing global supply, with clinical vials expected to be available by Q4 2025. The vaccine is being developed using an advanced continuous avian cell line manufacturing process, which aims to increase production yield, eliminate reliance on pathogen-free chicken eggs, and enable rapid deployment in future outbreaks.
David Dodd, Chairman & CEO of GeoVax, emphasized the importance of expanding domestic vaccine capacity to mitigate the risks of single-source dependency, which could threaten access during geopolitical or logistical disruptions. GeoVax is actively engaging with U.S. federal agencies to align GEO-MVA with initiatives aimed at strengthening national pandemic readiness and onshoring critical pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The company's efforts represent a significant step forward in global health security, offering a promising solution to the current vaccine supply challenges and enhancing preparedness for future outbreaks. As the Mpox crisis continues to evolve, the development of GEO-MVA underscores the critical need for diversified vaccine production capabilities to ensure equitable access and protect public health worldwide.
