NanoBio Corporation today announced the progression of a novel intranasal anthrax vaccine into a pre-clinical IND-enabling toxicology study funded by the U.S. National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The vaccine combines NanoBio’s novel intranasal nanoemulsion (NE) adjuvant with recombinant protective antigen (rPA) for anthrax from Porton Biopharma Ltd (PBL). Following the pre-clinical toxicology study, the vaccine will progress to a Phase 1 clinical trial. The advanced development of the vaccine candidate is the result of a modification to PBL’s existing NIAID contract, which totals more than $24 million throughout its eight-year term if all options are exercised. The modification, valued at $5.6 million, supports further research of the vaccine components and technologies that accelerate the immune responses for use in post-event settings following the intentional release of the Category A priority pathogen Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. Under the contract, NanoBio, PBL and Public Health England are partnering to produce a more effective vaccine than the currently licensed injectable product, by enabling immunity to be achieved in fewer doses and via intranasal delivery.
