iBio, Inc. announced its iBioLaunch Platform expressed the hookworm-derived molecule NaAPR1M-74, which will be evaluated as a potential vaccine candidate for human hookworm disease.
Such a vaccine will provide a public health benefit by preventing a parasitic disease that currently affects more than 576 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of anemia in the world’s poorest countries.
The development is the result of a collaboration between iBio’s research partner, the Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology (FCMB), and the Sabin Vaccine Institute. Production of initial quantities of partially purified NaAPR1M-74 was completed at FCMB’s pilot manufacturing facility employing the iBioLaunch Technology. The product was then transferred to Walter Reed Army Institute for Research (WRAIR) for final purification to formulate enough material to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials.
Peter Hotez, MD, president of Sabin Vaccine Institute says, “It has been extremely difficult to produce this protein effectively, as evidenced by multiple prior unsuccessful attempts using traditional production systems.”
Clinical trials will be conducted by the Sabin Vaccine Institute’s Human Hookworm Vaccine Initiative (HHVI).
Release Date: May 26, 2011
Source: iBio, Inc.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery