Halifax biotechnology firm Immunovaccine Inc. could be on the cusp of a breakthrough as positive preliminary results emerge from the company’s clinical programs.

The promising early-stage company continues to invest in its DPX-Survivac ovarian cancer vaccine and DepoVax adjuvanting technology. It helps makes vaccines more powerful.

As a result of its heavy investments, the company reported a net loss of $1.6 million during the second quarter, down from $2 million last year.

The decrease is due to a slight dip in research and development costs offset by increases in business development costs of $89,000, a $70,000 hike in general and administration expenses and $17,000 in interest.

John Trizzino, chief executive officer of Immunovaccine, said the company has had advancements in its clinical programs and business development efforts in the first half of this year.

“DPX-Survivac, one of two cancer vaccines the company has in the (clinical stage), has already reported positive Phase 1 interim data,” Trizzino said Friday in a news release.

“We expect patient enrolment to be completed in the third quarter, with a full detailed safety and immunogenicity report expected before year end.”

Interim data from the first patients in the trial demonstrates that DPX-Survivac was well tolerated and is capable of generating an immune response, the company said in the release.

The study is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the year, with detailed data on all patients to be released.

Trizzino said Immunovaccine is also encouraged by multiple early-stage collaborations using the DepoVax platform.

“The studies in progress for bioterrorism threats, addiction vaccines and companion animal diseases highlight the potential of our novel adjuvanting platform.”

Indeed, the Nova Scotia company has inked a number of agreements with research partners to advance its biotechnology.

One of Immunovaccine’s biggest coups is its collaboration with Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City to create an effective vaccine to treat cocaine addiction.

The company is also collaborating with the National Institute of Health in the United States to find vaccines that will protect against a range of bioterrorism agents, including anthrax.

A third partnership will pair Immunovaccine’s adjuvanting technology with antigens developed by a leading animal health company to create a new generation of pet vaccines.

“These partnerships reflect our growing reputation in the vaccine industry for being able to provide the right technology platform to advance candidates that will benefits from DepoVax,” Trizzino said in a letter to shareholders.

In the letter, he said Immunovaccine has been able to “validate the potential commercial value of our discoveries” through the publication of the company’s results in scientific journals and presentations of its data at scientific conferences.

The company’s scientific and business development teams are looking for new collaborations and ways to leverage the DepoVax technology, he said.

(bbundale@herald.ca)