Our Clinical Programs
Our Mission
Vaccinex is committed to developing innovative therapies that improve the lives of patients and address critical unmet needs. Guided by deep understanding of science and pathology of disease, we are pioneering a differentiated approach to treating neurologic diseases and cancer with novel antibody therapeutics. We are profoundly grateful to the patients, families, and the clinical staff that participate in our clinical trials. Their contributions make it possible to advance promising new treatments today while deepening our understanding of disease for the future generations.
Pepinemab
VX15/2503 (USAN Council approved name "pepinemab") is a humanized monoclonal IgG4 antibody that binds and blocks the signaling activity of SEMA4D. SEMA4D is an extracellular signaling molecule that regulates the migration and activation of immune and inflammatory cells at sites of injury and cancer.
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In cancer, we discovered that tumors exploit expression of a high concentration of SEMA4D at their margins to block immune cell infiltration and suppress anti-tumor activity, contributing to mechanisms to evade immune protection against cancer.
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In chronic brain diseases, such as Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease, we have discovered that SEMA4D triggers neuroinflammation with an associated loss of normal brain functions that accelerates disease progression. Pepinemab’s mechanism of action is to block the SEMA4D signal so as to preserve normal functions and slow or prevent disease progression.
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Note:Â Pepinemab (VX15/2503) is an investigational drug currently in clinical studies. It has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective for any disease indication. There is no guarantee that pepinemab (VX15/2503) will be approved for the treatment of any disease by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or by any other health authority worldwide.
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), are some of the world’s most complex and difficult-to-treat disorders. Very few impactful treatment options exist for these conditions, which affect an estimated 6.5 million Americans. As the world’s population ages, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic options.
Neurology Clinical Trials
Pepinemab, in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor, has been found to significantly enhance T-cell infiltration and to simultaneously reduce immunosuppressive cells in tumors, a potentially powerful combination to increase anti-tumor activity. Biomarker analysis from clinical studies has shown that pepinemab combination treatments appear to enhance tumor immunity through formation of mature lymphoid aggregates within the tumors.Â
 Cancer Clinical Trials
Our Clinical Development Team
Elizabeth Evans, Ph.D.
COO & Senior Vice President, Discovery and Translational Science
Elizabeth E. Evans, Ph.D. has served as our Senior Vice President, Discovery and Translational Medicine since March 2020 and Chief Operating Officer since May 2021. Dr. Evans previously served in a variety of research and leadership roles at Vaccinex including as our Vice President, Discovery Research. Prior to joining Vaccinex, Dr. Evans was a research scientist at the University of Rochester. Dr. Evans received a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Anthropology from State University of New York at Stony Brook, and an M.S. in Immunology and a Ph.D. in Pathology from the University of Rochester.
John E. Leonard, Ph.D.
Technical Operations, Consultant
Dr. Leonard has been part of the Vaccinex Team since 2009 when he served as Senior Vice President, Development. Prior to joining us, Dr. Leonard served as principal at John Leonard Consulting, LLC from Septemeber 2005 to January 2009. From February 2003 until September 2009, he was the Vice President, Program Executive of Biogen Idec, Inc. Since 1988 he has served in various roles within product development, regulatory affairs and quality assuarance at IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Dr. Leonard received a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from California State University, Long Beach, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside.
Terry Fisher, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Clinical Development
Dr. Fisher has served as our Senior Vice President, Clinical Development since October 2022. Prior to this, he has served as Vice President and Director of Clinical, Translational and Bioanalytical Sciences. Dr. Fisher received a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Rochester.