Scandinavian Biopharma strengthens its vaccine portfolio in the field of diarrhoeal disease by in-licencing a Campylobacter vaccine technology from Canadian company, VaxAlta Inc.

Scandinavian Biopharma has strengthened its vaccine portfolio through the addition of an innovative preclinical technology for the development of a new Campylobacter jejuni vaccine. Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhoeal illness in humans. Common sources of Campylobacter jejuni include raw or undercooked poultry, raw milk, raw vegetables, shellfish and untreated drinking water.

Scandinavian Biopharma will have the global rights for human use for a Campylobacter jejuni vaccine technology developed by VaxAlta. Under the terms of the agreement, Scandinavian Biopharma and VaxAlta will collaborate on the formulation and screening of new Campylobacter jejuni vaccine candidates. Scandinavian Biopharma will lead the development, registration and commercialisation of any successful vaccine. Scandinavian Biopharma has made an upfront payment to VaxAlta and will, in addition, pay tiered royalties and potential future development and sales milestones.

Campylobacter jejuni is, together with ETEC, one of the most common causes of diarrhoeal disease worldwide. Infections are increasing and are, today, responsible for up to 500 million cases of enteric disease each year. Campylobacter jejuni is, apart from a foodborne illness, also associated with the development of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which is now the most common cause of paralysis since the near-eradication of polio. Like the ETEC bacteria, Campylobacter infection results in growth stunting and delayed cognitive development in young children in low- and middle-income countries.

“With this new licence agreement, we are strengthening our pipeline in the field of diarrhoeal disease by including a Campylobacter vaccine candidate. Together, with our world leading ETEC vaccine about to enter into phase III, we improve our position as a leading diarrhoeal vaccine company. This collaboration is a perfect fit with the company’s strategy in Global Health, the essential and lifesaving role new vaccines play in the field of diarrhoeal disease and how vaccines can reduce the imminent global threat of antibiotic resistance”, says Björn Sjöstrand, CEO at Scandinavian Biopharma.

”We are excited and very pleased to be working with Scandinavian Biopharma to apply our technology in humans toward the common goal to reduce the impact of foodborne illness and diarrhoeal disease in both industrialized and low-and-middle income countries,” says Dr. Christine Szymanski, President & CEO of VaxAlta.