VICL

Vical Incorporated

A San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company that pioneered "naked DNA" vaccines — injecting genetic material directly into cells to teach the immune system to fight disease. Vical, founded in 1988, worked on DNA vaccines and immunotherapies for conditions such as melanoma and cytomegalovirus, and licensed its technology to other drugmakers. Its name blends "viral" with "California," nodding to its roots. In 2017 the company sold its vaccine assets and wound down its operations.