Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis said that it has entered into a development and licensing deal with India-based biopharmaceutical group Biological E for two vaccines against typhoid and paratyphoid fevers in a bid to provide accessible and affordable vaccines.
In just five years, the Novartis Vaccines Institute for Global Health (NVGH), part of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, has developed a typhoid vaccine with funding by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Foundation and the Tuscany Region through Italy's Sclavo Vaccines Association.
In addition, a dual-acting vaccine with components against both typhoid and paratyphoid fevers is being developed with on-going support from the Wellcome Trust. Both could reduce the burden of these diseases in endemic regions.
More than 21 million cases of typhoid fever and five million cases of paratyphoid A fever are reported worldwide in a year, especially in areas that lack appropriate sanitation and access to clean water.
Under the license, NVGH will transfer technology to BioE, which will have financial and operational responsibility for manufacturing, further clinical development, approval and distribution in the developing world. The typhoid vaccine (Vi-CRM197) has achieved Proof of Concept, had successful Phase 2 results, and will be transferred to BioE. A combined typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine will be transferred once Proof of Concept is completed through early, small-scale studies in humans to determine safety and immunogenicity. The Wellcome Trust continues to support the development of the dual-acting vaccine through a Strategic Award that was awarded in 2009.
Radiocor – Sole24ore