Infectious disease

Rabbit studies suggest a vaccine based on an S. pneumoniae CPS mimic could help prevent invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the pathogen's serotype 5. The vaccine consisted of a synthetic oligosaccharide mimic of S. pneumoniae CPS from serotype 5 that contained immunogenic repeats of the amino sugars L-PneuNAc and L-FucNAc, had a chemical modification to enhance manufacturing stability, and was conjugated to a diphtheria toxin-derived carrier protein to enhance immunogenicity. In rabbits, subcutaneous immunization with the vaccine plus alum adjuvant increased serum titers of opsonizing antibodies compared with immunization with Prevenar 13. Next steps by Vaxxilon AG include preclinical efficacy and toxicity studies of a GLP version of the vaccine...