Ovax is developing a vaccine intended to prevent fentanyl from reaching the brain and thereby block its euphoric effects and fatal overdoses. The company licensed intellectual property from University of Houston researchers who tested a fentanyl vaccine in rats. Ovax officially launched this week and plans to begin human trials early next year. It secured $10 million in an initial funding round to advance clinical development. Leadership includes co‑founder JR Rahn, CEO Collin Gage, and CFO Stacy McIntosh. Ovax says it is repurposing existing vaccine technology and anticipates needing to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to bring the vaccine to market. The team comprises doctors, scientists, drug developers and financiers with personal connections to the overdose crisis.

Total raised

$10M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jun 2024