Pharma News: LimmaTech Biologics Secures Exclusive Clinical Development Rights From AbVacc For Vaccine Against Staphylococcus Aureus

Pharma News: In a groundbreaking move to address the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), LimmaTech Biologics has secured exclusive clinical development rights from AbVacc for the revolutionary multivalent toxoid vaccine candidate, LBT-SA7 (formerly IBT-V02), designed to combat infections caused by the notorious bacterial pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This strategic partnership signifies a significant step forward in the battle against AMR, particularly as S. aureus continues to be the leading cause of AMR-related deaths in both the United States and Europe.


 
LBT-SA7: Paving the Way for Innovative Solutions
LBT-SA7, a six-valent toxoid vaccine candidate meticulously developed by AbVacc, holds promise in preventing recurrent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by S. aureus. The vaccine employs weakened forms of toxins, or toxoids, secreted by the pathogen during an infection. Its distinctive formulation stimulates an immune response against the original S. aureus toxins. Encouraging preclinical studies in mice and rabbits have demonstrated robust neutralizing activity against various clinically relevant forms of S. aureus infections. Notably, the vaccine has shown efficacy even in non-naïve mice pre-exposed to the pathogen.
 
LimmaTech, with its extensive expertise in vaccine development, including targeted efforts against S. aureus, plans to commence Phase 1 clinical development of LBT-SA7 in 2024. The company has the added option to acquire full worldwide rights to the program after the Phase 1 trial readout. This collaboration represents a crucial milestone in LimmaTech's commitment to pursuing innovative solutions to prevent increasingly untreatable microbial infections and combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
 
Global Impact of S. aureus and Urgency in Vaccine Development
Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterial pathogen, affects approximately 30% of the human population, causing a spectrum of infections from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) to severe conditions like pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Recognizing its significance, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated S. aureus as a "high priority" pathogen, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative vaccine approaches and effective treatment strategies.
 
AbVacc, Inc., a recent spin-off of Integrated Biotherapeutics, employs structure-guided rational design for the discovery and development of next-generation "smart" vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. AbVacc's diverse portfolio includes vaccines and antibodies for serious emerging infectious diseases such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), C. difficile, B. anthracis, filoviruses Ebola, Sudan, and Marburg, Nipah virus, and Influenza. AbVacc's commitment to advancing solutions for S. aureus infections is evident in its partnership with LimmaTech.
 
Financial Backing and Collaborative Support
AbVacc's inclusion in the Novo Holdings REPAIR Impact Fund's portfolio since 2019 has played a pivotal role in supporting the preclinical development of the IBT-V02 vaccine program.
 
According to icles/pharma-news">Pharma News reports, financial backing from REPAIR, along with grants from Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) and the National Institutes of Health, has propelled the project towards Phase 1 trial readiness, providing a potential new tool in the fight against antimicrobial infections.
 
The development of LBT-SA7 has been further supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health and CARB-X. CARB-X's funding for the project is sourced from federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, underscoring the importance of government support in advancing innovative solutions to combat AMR.
 
The Urgency of Addressing S. aureus-related Infections
Dr Franz-Werner Haas, Chief Executive Officer of LimmaTech, emphasized the urgency of addressing S. aureus-related infections globally. "S. aureus-related infections remain an urgent global medical priority, for which there is no vaccine currently available. Based on the original scientific work and the promising preclinical data generated by AbVacc, we aim to rapidly start clinical development and deliver an effective intervention for patients with a broad range of S. aureus infections," said Dr. Haas.
 
Javad Aman, PhD, President & Chief Scientific Officer of AbVacc, expressed confidence in LimmaTech's capabilities, stating, "We highly value the LimmaTech team’s depth of experience and extensive know-how that will contribute to achieving successful clinical development moving forward."
 
Michael Kowarik, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of LimmaTech, added in a press release of the development, "We are convinced that this S. aureus toxoid vaccine candidate has the potential to solve the challenges posed by targeting S. aureus surface antigens by addressing a new mechanism of action that has not been explored before."
 
A Comprehensive Approach to Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance
As the world grapples with the urgent challenge of antimicrobial resistance, LimmaTech's collaboration with AbVacc represents a crucial step towards innovative vaccine development. The strategic alliance combines scientific expertise, financial support, and a shared commitment to address the pressing medical need for effective interventions against S. aureus infections. The journey from preclinical studies to Phase 1 clinical development marks a significant advancement in the quest for solutions to combat antimicrobial infections and safeguard global health.
 
LimmaTech Biologics, a leader in vaccine technology and clinical candidate development, is dedicated to combating the global antimicrobial resistance epidemic. Leveraging its proprietary self-adjuvanting and multi-antigen vaccine platform, along with disease-specific vaccine approaches, LimmaTech aims to prevent increasingly untreatable microbial infections.
 
The collaboration with AbVacc adds a robust program to LimmaTech's expanding pipeline, reinforcing its commitment to delivering transformative solutions worldwide.
 
The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance demands a comprehensive and collaborative approach, bringing together industry leaders, scientific innovators, and financial supporters. LimmaTech's proactive engagement in addressing S. aureus-related infections, coupled with AbVacc's cutting-edge research and development, exemplifies the kind of concerted effort required to tackle the complex challenges posed by AMR.

As the global community faces an unprecedented health crisis, the urgency to develop effective interventions against infectious diseases has never been more apparent. LimmaTech and AbVacc's joint efforts to advance the LBT-SA7 vaccine candidate underscore the significance of public-private partnerships in driving scientific innovation and translating promising research into tangible solutions. The collaboration stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance, offering a glimpse into a future where groundbreaking vaccines provide a shield against the evolving landscape of infectious diseases.
 
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