Dual-activity anthrax vaccine

Summary There is a need for improved anthrax vaccines. First, because of the low immunogenicity of the bacterial coat components of Bacillus anthracis, existing vaccines typically are directed at a secreted bacterial protein, the protective antigen ("PA") subunit of anthrax toxin. Vaccines directed at PA do not prevent the establishment or spread of anthrax infection, as bacterial cells are not killed - instead, the object is merely to forestall the lethal effect of anthrax toxin long enough to permit antibiotics to clear bacteria from an infected patient. Second, PA does not readily elicit a robust immune response, as evidenced by the fact that a popular PA-based vaccine must be administered in six doses over several months.

Unlike conventional anthrax vaccines, dual-activity vaccines of the present invention can potentially induce both cellular immunity against B. anthracis and inhibition of anthrax toxin activity in an immunized subject. Laboratory data indicates that only a single dose may be required. Non-confidential information on this technology can be found in:

Rhie et al., "A dually active anthrax vaccine that confers protection against both bacilli and toxins", 2003, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100(19): 10925-30.

The invention is covered by published U.S. patent application number 20030108556, which is available for field-exclusive or non-exclusive license. International rights are available.

Applications Anthrax vaccine For Further Information Please Contact the Director of Business Development Alex Szidon Email: [email protected] Telephone: (617) 495-3067

Inventor(s): Collier, R. John

Type of Offer: Licensing



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