EQS-News: GeoVax Applauds EQUIP-A-Pharma Initiative, Reinforces Commitment to Domestic Vaccine Manufacturing and Biodefense Innovation

GeoVax’s Advanced MVA Manufacturing Platform Supports ASPR-DARPA Vision for Scalable, AI-Integrated Pharmaceutical Production

ATLANTA, GA - May 21, 2025 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer, today welcomed the launch of the EQUIP-A-Pharma initiative - a new joint program between the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the private sector. This bold collaboration with private industry seeks to transform pharmaceutical manufacturing by leveraging artificial intelligence and next-generation platforms to expand U.S. production capacity and improve supply chain resilience.

David Dodd, Chairman and CEO of GeoVax, commented: "The EQUIP-A-Pharma initiative is a major step toward strengthening the domestic biomanufacturing backbone our country urgently needs. GeoVax has long championed the same goals this program now advances - self-reliant, scalable, and rapid production of critical medicines. Our advanced MVA manufacturing platform aligns perfectly with this mission, and we stand ready to support the federal government’s vision of pharmaceutical independence and pandemic resilience."

GeoVax’s Alignment with EQUIP-A-Pharma

GeoVax is advancing a next-generation manufacturing platform for its Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine technology - a platform that eliminates reliance on pathogen-free eggs and instead uses a continuous avian cell line system compatible with existing U.S. GMP infrastructure. This enables:

• Rapid, high-volume vaccine production adaptable for pandemic response and public health emergencies.
• Integration with AI-driven optimization tools for scale-up and quality control.
• Deployment within small-footprint, modular facilities aligned with DARPA’s vision for agile, point-of-care biomanufacturing.
• Reduced dependence on foreign suppliers, supporting the White House Executive Order on re-shoring pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The MVA platform underpins GeoVax’s pipeline of multi-antigen vaccines, including its lead candidates GEO-CM04S1 (COVID-19) and GEO-MVA (Mpox and smallpox), and was recently selected under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) for further development, pending funding availability.

A Strategic Partner for National Health Security

GeoVax’s domestic manufacturing strategy directly addresses vulnerabilities identified in recent biodefense reviews and the National Strategic Stockpile shortfalls highlighted by the Mpox outbreak. The Company continues to advocate for robust public-private collaboration to accelerate the deployment of resilient, U.S.-sourced medical countermeasures.

Dodd concluded: "GeoVax is committed to delivering scalable solutions that align with the Administration’s priorities - from HHS to DARPA to BARDA. EQUIP-A-Pharma represents the future of biomanufacturing in the United States, and we are proud to be among the companies positioned to help build that future."

About GeoVax

GeoVax Labs, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel vaccines against infectious diseases and therapies for solid tumor cancers. The Company’s lead clinical program is GEO-CM04S1, a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine currently in three Phase 2 clinical trials, being evaluated as (1) a primary vaccine for immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from hematologic cancers and other patient populations for whom the current authorized COVID-19 vaccines are insufficient, (2) a booster vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and (3) a more robust, durable COVID-19 booster among healthy patients who previously received the mRNA vaccines. In oncology the lead clinical program is evaluating a novel oncolytic solid tumor gene-directed therapy, Gedeptin®, having recently completed a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for advanced head and neck cancers. The Company is also developing GEO-MVA, a vaccine targeting Mpox and smallpox. GeoVax has a strong IP portfolio in support of its technologies and product candidates, holding worldwide rights for its technologies and products. For more information about the current status of our clinical trials and other updates, visit our website: www.geovax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding GeoVax’s business plans. The words “believe,” “look forward to,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax is able to obtain acceptable results from ongoing or future clinical trials of its investigational products, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines can provoke the desired responses, and those products or vaccines can be used effectively, GeoVax’s viral vector technology adequately amplifies immune responses to cancer antigens, GeoVax can develop and manufacture its immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax’s vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVax’s immuno-oncology products and preventative vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax’s products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control.

Further information on our risk factors is contained in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K that we have filed and will file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. 

Company Contact: 
info@geovax.com
678-384-7220                          

Investor Relations Contact:
geovax@precisionaq.com
212-698-8696