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
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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."
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