Potential Lyme Disease Vaccine May Be Ready By 2025
“We are pleased to report a successful first Phase 2 trial of our vaccine candidate against Lyme disease, a severe infection which affects an increasing number of people each year. Further data from the ongoing Phase 2 trials in the coming months will support further dose and schedule decisions. We are closely working with Pfizer to advance the development of VLA15 expeditiously.”
VLA15 introduces an isolated protein of the Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria that causes Lyme disease) pathogen to the body via three injections. The recipients of the vaccine were found to have produced a significant amount of antibodies which is a positive step…
The immunological response in older adults, one of the main target groups for a Lyme vaccine, is particularly encouraging.
VLA15 was generally safe across all dose and age groups tested. No related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) were observed with VLA15 in this study in any treatment group
Early symptoms of Lyme disease (such as a gradually expanding erythematous rash called Erythema migrans or more unspecific symptoms like fatigue, fever, headache, mild stiff neck, arthralgia or myalgia) are often overlooked or misinterpreted.
Left untreated, the disease can disseminate and cause more serious complications affecting the joints (arthritis), the heart (carditis) or the nervous system. The medical need for vaccination against Lyme disease is steadily increasing as the disease footprint widens.
There are still many more steps to go, but because of the positive progress made, Pfizer gave Valneva a multi-million dollar cash injection to help continue research.
In the meantime, don’t forget to check for Ticks this camping and canoeing season.
