Novartis announces typhoid vaccine research program in partnership with the Wellcome Trust

New grant from the Wellcome Trust funds progression of vaccine from preclinical through Phase I and II studies with view to protect against both S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi strains

08-Jun-2009 - Switzerland

Novartis announced that the Novartis vaccines Institute for Global Health (NVGH) has been awarded a grant from the Wellcome Trust to develop a bivalent vaccine for typhoid fever.

The Euro 5.15 million grant will fund preclinical development and Phase I and II studies for a vaccine that protects against both S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A; two very similar illnesses which, if left untreated, can result in complications and death. The currently available vaccines for S. Typhi do not protect infants and young children. S. Paratyphi A is a growing problem causing 25-50% of all Typhoid cases.

"With more than 21 million cases of Typhoid fever worldwide and more than 600,000 deaths each year, this disease is a serious global health issue, especially in the developing world," said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis. "The bivalent vaccine being developed by NVGH will use a novel approach to increase efficacy and address the needs of patients that other vaccines have not. This will ultimately have the potential to eradicate this disease."

Other news from the department research and development

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Fighting cancer: latest developments and advances