New genome data on developing-world pneumococcal strains

Data from a PATH-sponsored study on sequencing the genomes of five geographically diverse Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates are now available. The sequencing was performed by The Institute for Genome Research (TIGR, now known as the J. Craig Venter Institute) and involved an analysis of clinically important strains from Bangladesh, Brazil, Ghana, Hungary, and Taiwan. Included in these strains are serotypes 1 and 5, which are more prevalent in developing countries than in the United States and Europe and are not covered by the current 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV7 (Prevnar®).

The data will provide valuable information for comparing the genomic sequences of developing-world pneumococcal isolates with those from industrialized nations and help prioritize protein vaccine candidates whose sequences are homogenous with global strains. The entire data set, sequence, and annotation information have been submitted to Genbank for public release. For more information about the sequencing project and the data generated, including comparisons between these five new genomes and previously published S. pneumoniae genomes, please visit the Streptococcus Pneumoniae Comparative System.

2006 international symposium

PATH supported two sessions at the 5th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Disease (ISPPD5), held in Alice Springs, Australia, in April 2006. The world’s leading scientists and public- and private-health policymakers gathered at ISPPD5 to discuss and share advancements on pneumococcal research.

Animal models of pneumococcal disease
Because animals have diseases that are similar to human diseases, researchers sometimes rely on “animal models of disease” to learn more about the disease and potential preventions and treatments. An important component of evaluating new vaccine and therapeutic candidates is rigorous testing in animal models across a spectrum of pneumococcal disease stages. This will allow researchers to compare strategies and accelerate development into human clinical trials. Animal models may eventually predict success in human studies. PATH sponsored this symposium to explore the status of pneumococcal animal models and their value to evaluating novel approaches for the prevention and treatment of pneumococcal disease. The presentations from this workshop are available through PATH's Vaccine Resource Library.

Clinical and regulatory development milestones for next-generation pneumococcal vaccines
PATH convened a panel of representatives from European and US regulatory authorities and industry, as well as the World Health Organization and academic and research institutions, to address clinical and regulatory issues as they affect the search for the next generation of pneumococcal vaccines. The participants reviewed the regulatory and clinical considerations for moving new vaccines more quickly through the clinical trial process.

Vaccine development partnership with Intercell AG

PATH is working with the Austrian biotechnology firm Intercell AG on a protein-based pneumococcal vaccine. Developing a vaccine containing proteins that are common to all pneumococcus serotypes could provide broad protection to children worldwide. PATH and Intercell are collaborating on the preclinical development of its pneumococcal vaccine candidate in preparation for Phase 1 clinical trials. Read the announcement of the PATH-Intercell AG partnership.

Children’s Hospital Boston  

PATH is partnering with Children’s Hospital Boston to develop an inactivated whole cell vaccine against the pneumococcal bacteria. If successful, the vaccine would provide broad protection for children throughout the developing world. Such a vaccine would require no refrigeration and could be given through the nasal passage (thus avoiding the need for injection). PATH and Children’s Hospital Boston are collaborating to optimize and standardize a safe inactivated whole cell vaccine candidate for Phase 1 clinical trials.