Descrizione del progetto
Le popolazioni vulnerabili potrebbero presto avere uno scudo contro la schistosomiasi
Le comunità povere, in particolare nei paesi africani in via di sviluppo, spesso non hanno accesso all’acqua potabile e a servizi igienici adeguati, aumentando così la minaccia della presenza di agenti patogeni e organismi trasportatori di agenti patogeni. Sei specie di Schistosoma, un verme parassita del sangue, penetrano nella pelle delle persone esposte all’acqua dolce infestata dalle larve. Alla loro maturazione, i vermi viaggiano attraverso il sistema circolatorio, infettando e provocando danni enormi a molti tessuti e organi. Il progetto VASA sta promuovendo un promettente vaccino con marchio di fabbrica attraverso la pipeline clinica, garantendo l’accesso in aree con risorse limitate. Supportato da un consorzio globale, VASA si dedica all’eradicazione della schistosomiasi.
Obiettivo
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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Invito a presentare proposte
Vedi altri progetti per questo bandoBando secondario
H2020-SC1-2018-Two-Stage-RTD
Meccanismo di finanziamento
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinatore
CB2 1TN Cambridge
Regno Unito