Meningitis Vaccine Collaboration
22 January 2007
Development of a Pan Meningococcal Vaccine for the World
The Health Protection Agency (UK) and the Serum Institute of India Ltd have today announced that they have signed a royalty-bearing licence to develop a pentavalent vaccine for India and developing countries to combat all the principal forms of bacterial meningococcal disease, responsible for serious cases of septicaemia and meningitis.
Under the agreement, the agency has licensed its patented technology and know-how on meningococcal B vaccines to the Serum Institute of India. The institute will combine the components for the B vaccine with A and C conjugate vaccines (which it will manufacture) as well as Y and W135 conjugates to produce a pan-meningococcal vaccine which it is hoped will be effective against all the significant bacterial strains of the disease.
Following a programme of research to identify a pentavalent formulation, the vaccine will be produced in the institute's facilities in Pune, India and progressed to clinical trials. To assist with the clinical trials, the agency will contribute its expertise in vaccine evaluation to assess the immunological response to the candidate vaccine(s). The agency will also continue its existing programme of work to develop a meningitis Group B vaccine, which is currently in phase one clinical trial in the UK.
The Serum Institute is already involved with both the World Health Organization and PATH organisation's programme to prevent and ultimately eliminate epidemic Group A meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt, operating under the umbrella of the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization. Consequently the Serum Institute is ideally placed to develop this new pentavalent vaccine and deliver a safe and effective product at an affordable price to the parts of the world where it is most needed.
Commenting on the deal Dr Roger Gilmour, director of the agency's research centre at Porton Down said, "This is an extremely exciting opportunity for us to work with one of the worlds leading producers of vaccines to develop a product that can be targeted to prevent this terrible disease wherever it occurs and in whichever form".
Commenting on the deal Dr Subash Kapre, executive director of the Serum Institute of India said, "We believe this will create a long-needed vaccine against meningococcal disease that will benefit all children irrespective of geographical position"
About the Partners
The Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 with the aim of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologicals, originally for the Indian market but has since grown to be the world's largest producer of measles, and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) group vaccines. The Institute endeavours to continue to improve the health of the world's children by preventing diseases through immunisation and has an active research, development, commercialisation and delivery strategy.
The Health Protection Agency was formed in 2003 from various parts of the UK's public health service with the aim of protecting health, preventing harm and preparing for threats. It has three national research centres, including the one at Porton Down, as well as public health teams at regional and local levels. The Agency has an established track record of commercialising its research into healthcare products that are effective at treating or preventing a range of serious diseases.
