Haemophilus influenzae Causes Over 50 Million Inner Ear Infections In Children and Infants Annually Worldwide-
Gaithersburg, MD, April 9, 1997-- Antex Biologics Inc. (Nasdaq:ANTX) and Pasteur Mérieux Connaught, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rhône-Poulenc, today announced the commencement of a Phase I clinical trial for a Haemophilus influenzae (nontypeable) vaccine. Haemophilus influenzae causes otitis media (inner ear infection) which is the most common infectious disease among children and infants. The vaccine is being developed by PMC through a technology license agreement with Antex. Currently, there are no vaccines on the market to prevent or treat the common ear infection.
"Recent studies have shown that recurrent ear infections among young children are dramatically increasing in the United States causing between $3 billion and $54 billion in medical costs each year," said Vic Esposito, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Antex. "While ear infections have been treatable with antibiotics, nearly one-third of all ear infections are caused by bacteria, including Haemophilus, that are resistant to current antibiotics. With antibiotic resistance expected to increase, and with no currently available preventive treatment for otitis media, there is an urgent need for a vaccine to prevent this painful childhood illness."
Haemophilus influenzae causes over 25 million cases of inner ear infections in children and infants annually in the United States alone. Complications of this infection are potentially serious and can result in deafness and meningitis.
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