Project description
Vulnerable populations may soon have a shield against Schistosomiasis
Poor communities, particularly in developing countries in Africa, often do not have access to potable water and adequate sanitation, increasing the threatening presence of pathogens and pathogen-carrying organisms. Six species of Schistosoma, a parasitic blood worm, penetrate the skin of people exposed to freshwater infested with the larvae. As the worms mature, they travel through the circulatory system, eventually infecting and causing massive damage to many tissues and organs. VASA is pushing a promising trademarked candidate vaccine through the clinical pipeline while ensuring access in areas with limited resources. Backed by a global consortium, VASA is dedicated to the eradication of Schistosomiasis.
Objective
Schistosomiasis is a poverty-related neglected tropical disease, impacting one billion people in 74 countries. Science ranked a schistosomiasis-vaccine as one of the top-10 vaccines urgently needed. Chemotherapy is the preferred method for schistosomiasis control; but the effectiveness of mass-treatment programs is compromised by reinfection requiring regular re-treatment. An efficacious vaccine, with long-lasting protection against all schistosomiasis forms, would impact disease control. We request funding for the clinical development of our SchistoShield®-vaccine (Sm- p80 antigen+GLA-SE adjuvant) in Burkina Faso and Madagascar, where Schistosoma mansoni (causing intestinal/ hepatic schistosomiasis) and S. haematobium (causing urinary schistosomiasis) are endemic. In baboon studies, SchistoShield® has been effective against all major schistosome species. It is the only vaccine candidate having consistently exhibited potent prophylactic, anti-fecundity, egg-induced pathology resolving, transmission-blocking and therapeutic efficacy. The objectives are to 1) assess the safety/immunogenicity of SchistoShield® in a Phase I clinical study in healthy adults from Africa; 2) refine and develop a female worm schistosome human challenge model; 3) identify correlates of protection, innate and adaptive immune signatures, gene expression and the role of antibodies in the prevention/control of Schistosoma infections; and 4) foster a global consortium to advance research on schistosomiasis disease burden, vaccines and address downstream access constraints in resource-poor settings. The funding requested will allow the clinical development of SchistoShield®. African site research capacity will be improved and epidemiological burden data using novel diagnostic techniques will be used to advance clinical development to Phase 2 and potential future elimination project
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Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
CB2 1TN Cambridge
United Kingdom