Soligenix's RiVax Vaccine Advances Biodefense Preparedness Against Ricin Threats

Soligenix Inc. (NASDAQ: SNGX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on biodefense solutions, is developing a vaccine candidate known as RiVax to protect against ricin exposure. These efforts position the company at the center of biodefense preparedness as public awareness of ricin's lethality grows. In a counter-terrorism operation in India, authorities recently foiled a ricin plot, underscoring how easily accessible castor beans can be transformed into the deadly toxin using common tools such as a coffee grinder. The report is a stark reminder of ricin's accessibility and the pressing need for effective countermeasures.

RiVax's durability, evidenced by thermostability and strong protective efficacy in animal models, could allow for strategic stockpiling in national stockpiles and rapid deployment to first responders, military personnel and vulnerable civilian populations should a ricin incident occur. Continued development and regulatory progression of the vaccine may also inform broader strategies for biodefense and emergency readiness in a world where accessible biological threats continue to challenge health security systems. The company's Public Health Solutions business segment includes development programs for RiVax, as well as its vaccine programs targeting filoviruses (such as Marburg and Ebola) and CiVax, the company's vaccine candidate for the prevention of COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2).

The development of Soligenix's vaccine programs incorporates the use of its proprietary heat stabilization platform technology, known as ThermoVax. To date, this business segment has been supported with government grants and contract funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). For further information, visit the company's website at https://www.Soligenix.com. The latest news and updates relating to SNGX are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SNGX.

The importance of this development lies in addressing a significant gap in biodefense capabilities. Ricin represents a persistent threat due to its accessibility and potency, with recent incidents highlighting vulnerabilities in current preparedness measures. The thermostability of RiVax is particularly crucial, as it enables long-term storage without refrigeration, making it practical for inclusion in strategic national stockpiles. This characteristic distinguishes it from many other vaccines that require cold chain logistics, which can be challenging to maintain during emergency situations.

Furthermore, the vaccine's progression through development stages supported by multiple government agencies indicates recognition of its potential value in national security frameworks. As biological threats evolve and become more accessible, having pre-positioned countermeasures like RiVax could significantly reduce response times during crises. The vaccine's development also contributes to broader biodefense strategies by demonstrating approaches that could be adapted for other toxin threats, potentially creating a template for rapid vaccine development against emerging biological weapons.