GeoVax, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing multi-antigen vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer, announced its sponsorship of the 3rd Annual Dr. David Satcher Global Health Equity Summit, hosted by Morehouse School of Medicine. The summit, taking place October 2, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, convenes global health experts, policymakers, researchers, community organizations, and students to address pressing challenges in health equity.
This year's summit theme, "The Quest for Health Equity & Justice: A Glocal Perspective," focuses on how local innovations, policies, and partnerships can be scaled globally to close equity gaps in healthcare access. The event features keynote speaker Dr. John N. Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, alongside distinguished leaders across academic, government, and private sectors. Sessions will explore critical topics including vaccine access and trust, innovations in pandemic preparedness, and community-driven models for health equity.
Representing GeoVax at the summit will be Mary Hauser, PhD, Director of Preclinical Research, who will be available throughout the event to discuss the company's vaccine and immunotherapy programs. Dr. Hauser will highlight GeoVax's work advancing MVA-based vaccines designed specifically to meet the needs of immunocompromised and underserved populations, underscoring the company's commitment to ensuring scientific innovation translates into real-world accessibility.
"Health equity is not just a goal - it is a mandate for global progress," said David Dodd, Chairman & CEO of GeoVax. "We are honored to support the Satcher Summit and partner with Morehouse School of Medicine in advancing solutions that ensure lifesaving vaccines and therapies reach those most in need."
The sponsorship announcement comes as GeoVax advances several clinical programs addressing critical healthcare gaps. The company's lead clinical program is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials. The vaccine is being evaluated as a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients, including those with hematologic cancers and other populations for whom current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient. Additional trials are examining its effectiveness as a booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and as a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received mRNA vaccines.
GeoVax's commitment to health equity extends beyond COVID-19 vaccines. The company is developing a vaccine targeting Mpox and smallpox and, based on recent EMA regulatory guidance, anticipates progressing directly to a Phase 3 clinical evaluation. In oncology, GeoVax is evaluating Gedeptin®, a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy that recently completed a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. For more information about the current status of clinical trials and other updates, visit https://www.geovax.com.
The Dr. David Satcher Global Health Equity Summit, founded in honor of Dr. David Satcher, the 16th Surgeon General of the United States and Founding Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, provides a platform for advancing health equity through research, innovation, and policy. Now in its third year, the event serves as a catalyst for collaboration and action to achieve sustainable change in global and community health.
This sponsorship underscores the growing recognition that equitable access to vaccines and healthcare innovations is essential for global health security. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant disparities in vaccine distribution and access, particularly affecting immunocompromised individuals and underserved communities worldwide. GeoVax's focus on developing vaccines specifically for these vulnerable populations represents a crucial step toward addressing these systemic inequities.
The summit's emphasis on "glocal" perspectives - scaling local innovations globally - aligns with the need for adaptable healthcare solutions that can address diverse community needs while maintaining global relevance. As emerging infectious diseases continue to pose threats to global health, ensuring equitable access to preventive measures and treatments becomes increasingly critical for pandemic preparedness and response.
