Key News in Family Medicine February 04, 2019 (4 of 8)

A vaccine against the biggest killer of bacteria on the planet is about to be available with guaranteed funding for preclinical trials.

Professor James Paton, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research at the University of Adelaide, and his team are working on a vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) that could save two million lives worldwide each year and combat the overconsumption of antibiotics leading to resistance.

"Pneumococcus is the most important killer of bacteria on the planet. It is the most common cause of pneumonia, which accounts for about 20% of all-cause deaths among children under 5 in developing countries. Globally, pneumococcus is responsible for about two million deaths a year, "said Paton.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is transmitted primarily through close contact with infected but asymptomatic carriers, is the leading cause of sinus and ear infections, meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. Ear infections are one of the most common childhood diseases usually treated with antibiotics, which helps to increase bacterial resistance.

"Vaccinate people against Streptococcus pneumoniae would help address the global challenge of increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, "says Professor Paton.

"The problem with the existing pneumococcal vaccine is that it targets the outer layer of complex carbohydrates – there are 98 structurally different types. The current vaccine costs about $ 150 per dose and only covers 13 types.

"What we did was remove that coating to expose all the surface proteins common to all types of pneumococci. The body produces an immune response to these surface proteins if it has already been exposed or vaccinated. "

Sixteen months ago, GPN Vaccines Pty Ltd, based in Adelaide, was created to develop this new "whole bacterial" (Gamma-PNTM) vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The company has already secured investments from local angel investors, as well as a major grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council and a marketing grant from the Government of South Australia.

GPN Vaccines has now raised a further A $ 1.1 million from international and Australian investors, which will be used for the preclinical evaluation of the Gamma-PNTM vaccine. Toxicity tests will be carried out as well as the large-scale manufacture of the clinical grade vaccine for testing in an unprecedented clinical trial in humans.

Tim Hirst, President and CEO of GPN Vaccines, said, "We are delighted with the rapid progress made by GPN since its inception, which demonstrates the capabilities of our partnership with the University of Adelaide. This capital raising puts GPN in a very strong position, allowing us to move quickly into our vaccine development program. "