NanoBio and the U.K. Health Protection Agency Awarded Up to $24 Million to Develop an Intranasal Anthrax Vaccine
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (December 1, 2012) – NanoBio® Corporation announced today that it is partnering with the U.K.-based Health Protection Agency (HPA) to develop an intranasal anthrax vaccine for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Under the terms of the contract, NanoBio is supplying its nanoemulsion-based adjuvant and delivery system for use with HPA’s antigen to enable the development of an intranasal vaccine that requires fewer doses than current treatments. The total initial value of the contract is $6.5 million, but it has the potential to reach up to $24 million if project milestones are met.
“NanoBio’s nanoemulsion-based adjuvant platform has shown the potential to enable the development of a potent, needle-free anthrax vaccine,” said David Peralta, chief executive officer of NanoBio. “Partnering with the HPA, a leader in the field of anthrax vaccine research and development, provides an opportunity to combine our complementary strengths to develop the next generation of anthrax vaccine that is easier to administer and requires fewer doses than currently available injectable vaccines.”
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, and most commonly infects wild and domestic animals. Anthrax occurs in humans when they are either exposed to infected animals, or the organism directly. In humans, the mortality of untreated cutaneous anthrax ranges up to 25 percent, but increases to nearly 100 percent in inhalational and intestinal cases. The U.S. Department of Defense indicates that some countries maintain weaponized anthrax inventories and present a bioterrorist threat. The currently available primary vaccination for anthrax consists of three subcutaneous injections at zero, two, and four weeks, and three vaccinations at six, twelve, and eighteen months followed by annual boosters for prolonged protection. Epidemiological evidence indicates this vaccine may cause acute side effects and may only provide partial protection from certain strains.
About NanoBio
NanoBio® Corporation is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing vaccines and anti-infective treatments derived from its patented NanoStat® technology platform. The platform utilizes a novel oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant to enable vaccines that elicit broad protection against disease. The company’s headquarters and laboratory facilities are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.