The focus of the collaboration is to conduct preclinical toxicology evaluations of two new S aureus antigens as components of the multivalent vaccine, targeting Staphylococcus aureus infections. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will fund the preclinical toxicology evaluations of the vaccine components manufactured and provided by Nabi.
The two novel antigens are said to be designed to protect against two of the most virulent and debilitating toxins produced by the bacteria – Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, found predominantly in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and alpha toxin, produced by almost all Staphylococcus aureus isolates.
Preclinical toxicology testing of these components will help enable the initiation of Phase I clinical trials for these new antigens in early 2009 which is one of the company’s three development milestones for 2008.
Raafat Fahim, president and CEO of Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, said: “In addition to the financial support, the collaboration with NIAID underscores the acute need for an Staphylococcus aureus vaccine and enables testing of the PentaStaph multi-targeted approach for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infections.”