Intravacc and TherapyX partner to develop the world’s first prophylactic vaccine against Gonorrhea

Intravacc and TherapyX are pleased to announce that they have entered into a strategic partnership for the co-development of NGoXIM^TM, the world’s first prophylactic vaccine against infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This new vaccine is intended to enhance specific adaptive immune responses that provide lasting, protective immunity against N. gonorrhoeae. NGoXIM^TM is a combination of a sustained-release formulation of interleukin 12 (GneX12^TM) and bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMV) formulated for mucosal delivery.

No effective gonorrhea vaccine is currently available and the disease is known to be acquired repeatedly with apparently no development of protective immunity from previous infection. The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has listed antibiotic-resistant N. gonorrhoeae as one of the top three pathogens presenting “an immediate public health threat that requires urgent and aggressive action.” A recent WHO technical consultation on vaccines against sexually transmitted infections (2017) called for renewed efforts to develop a vaccine against gonorrhea. This partnership effort is a direct response to that call.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, TherapyX will focus efforts on IND-enabling efficacy and toxicology studies in primates while Intravacc will be responsible for the discovery and development of OMVs with improved immunogenic properties and reduced toxicity. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to partner with Intravacc” said Dr. Dominick L. Auci, Vice President for Research and Development at TherapyX. “They bring over 100 years of expertise in vaccines including novel OMV technology to this important project. We couldn’t be working with a more experienced, innovative and dedicated team”.

“We are delighted to be working with TherapyX” said Mr. Nico Oudendijk, General Director of Intravacc. “The IL-12 technology they bring into the project is key to develop an efficacious vaccine against this disease.”

Source: Intravacc