Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology awarded NIH contract for “Vaccine Technologies to Advance Next Generation Anthrax Vaccines”

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology (FhCMB) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, for developing vaccine technologies to advance the next generation of Anthrax vaccines. For the first year, Fraunhofer will receive $1.76 million. The total funding could be up to $ 9.9 million depending on contract options exercised.

“Combining the FhCMB antigen with the Isconova adjuvant has the potential for an improved vaccine”

The contract (# HHSN272201200034C) will support the advanced development of candidate vaccine components and technologies that accelerate the immune response for use following intentional release of Bacillus anthracis or in response to naturally occurring outbreaks.

Most disciplines within Fraunhofer will play a part in successfully completing the deliverables as outlined in the contract, from biomass generation, to agro infiltration and protein purification, formulation development and stability, pre-clinical activities, pre-IND activities and IND submission, and ending with the option to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial. All of these activities depend on contract options exercised and will be based on successful completion of previous milestones. The first phase of the award, $1.76 million, runs through 2013.

A key partner in the project will be Isconova AB, a Swedish research and development company specializing in developing and commercializing adjuvants for vaccine production. “Combining the FhCMB antigen with the Isconova adjuvant has the potential for an improved vaccine,” according to Vidadi Yusibov of Fraunhofer CMB.

Once clinical trials of the new product are complete, FhCMB will work closely with iBio Inc., FhCMB’s commercialization partner, to advance the vaccine to meet the government’s needs.

Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology develops safe, rapid and economical alternatives for vaccine production. The Center, with fully functioning GMP pilot scale production capacity, has the complete range of capabilities necessary to provide a comprehensive service provider from target expression through Phase 1 and 2 clinical product development.