VGX Pharmaceuticals Inc. was founded in December 2000 by Dr. J. Joseph Kim and Professor David B. Weiner as a start-up based on technology licensed from the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Weiner and Dr. Kim at the Time Global Health Conference in 2005

In December 2004, VGX Pharmaceuticals initiated its first clinical trials of a novel HIV drug candidate PICTOVIR in a partnership with the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG). In November 2005, VGX Pharmaceuticals acquired a controlling interest of a publicly traded pharmaceutical company subsequently renamed as VGX International Inc. (Korean Stock Exchange: Stock Ticker No. 011000) to expand the Company’s overseas R&D, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. In June 2007, VGX International became a part of the prestigious KOSPI 200 Index. In February 2007, VGX Pharmaceuticals acquired ADViSYS Inc., a Texas-based private biotechnology company focused on the development and delivery of DNA-based therapies. Similar to VGX Pharmaceuticals, ADViSYS was a start-up based on technology licensed from Baylor College of Medicine in 1997. In May 2007, VGX Pharmaceuticals established VGX Animal Health, Inc., as a subsidiary focused on the development of pharmaceutical products for animal health applications.