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ZYUS Collaborates with USask’s VIDO-InterVac to Develop a Plant-Based Vaccine for COVID-19

May 7, 2020 Off By BusinessWire

ZYUS Life Sciences to support research and development of a vaccine for COVID-19

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZYUS Life Sciences Inc. (“ZYUS”), a company dedicated to improving quality of life through research and leadership in bio-pharmaceuticals and the development of innovative cannabinoid-based formulations and product candidates, announced today that it is collaborating with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan, a world leader in developing vaccines and technologies against infectious diseases, to test plant produced antigens in a vaccine for COVID-19.

ZYUS will leverage its bio-pharmaceutical plant technology platform and expertise to develop and express a protein that VIDO-InterVac has identified as a potential antigen for a COVID-19 vaccine. This protein will be isolated by ZYUS in its plant expression system and will provide insights into whether plants can produce antigens that are usable in a COVID-19 vaccine.

“As Canada, and the world, face the challenges of COVID-19, we are proud to partner with VIDO-InterVac to provide Canadian leadership in the development of a vaccine,” said ZYUS CEO, Brent Zettl. “Developing vaccines in plant cells has multiple potential benefits, including the ability to quickly produce a vaccine at scale, having no animal pathogen contaminants, and lower bioreactor processing costs. This is an important initiative for us as an organization, and as citizens looking to make a difference, ZYUS is committing research and development expertise, resources and energy to help find a vaccine now and to develop systems to help respond in the future.”

The approach is one of several that VIDO-InterVac is exploring in an effort to expand vaccine development against this novel coronavirus.

“VIDO-InterVac’s vision is protecting Canada and the world from infectious diseases,” said VIDO-InterVac Director Dr. Volker Gerdts. “Through this partnership, we are exploring alternative methods of antigen production with a goal to potentially expand global vaccine production capacity for COVID-19.”

By mid-summer 2020, ZYUS plans to have extracted enough specific protein through its plant expressions system for VIDO-InterVac to determine its effectiveness in animal models of COVID-19.

About ZYUS Life Sciences Inc.

ZYUS is a Canadian-based life sciences company focused on the global development and commercialization of innovative cannabinoid-based therapeutics and product candidates. Through clinical research and IP development, we intend to deliver high-quality oils, gel-caps, topical creams and other cannabinoid-based therapeutics and product candidates to patients worldwide. The ZYUS vision is to elevate cannabinoids as a standard of care and expand the potential of protein-based formulations in pursuit of a transformational impact on patients’ lives. ZYUS: Advancing the Science of Well-Being. Visit www.zyus.com

About VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan

The University of Saskatchewan’s VIDO-InterVac is internationally recognized for its role in vaccine development and is one of Canada’s national science facilities. VIDO-InterVac has a history of vaccine development and commercialization – eight of its vaccines have been sold commercially, and six have been described as world-firsts. VIDO-InterVac was created in 1975. The ~170-member organization operates using an ISO:9001 certified management system in state-of-the-art containment level 2 and 3 facilities. VIDO-InterVac receives operating support from the Government of Canada, and Government of Saskatchewan. Visit www.vido.org

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ZYUS to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to expectations with respect to our business plans, research activities and product lines.

Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “expected,” “expectation,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “continues,” “potential,” “targeted,” “plans,” “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “may,” “could,” “would” or “should” occur or be achieved, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Research is of an experimental nature and no particular results can be guaranteed. Actual results of the research discussed could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. ZYUS does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or information respecting the proposed research or results therefrom, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law.