Anyone know if trials are going on, or do we start from scratch?
North American Vaccine Announces the Issuance of U.S. Patent For Its Group A Streptococcus Conjugate Vaccine and Technology
COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Vaccine, Inc. (Amex: NVX - news) today announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a patent to the Company covering its Group A Streptococcal polysaccharide- protein conjugate vaccine and technology. The patent is a composition of matter and process patent covering both the vaccine as well as the method of its production. The composition covered by the patent includes a Group A Streptococcal polysaccharide covalently linked to a protein or liposome to form an immunogenic conjugate vaccine. The invention is particularly useful for providing active immunogenic protection. Group A Streptococcal infections mainly affect young children in the form of ''strep throat'' but can also cause serious disease in infants and adults. There is no licensed vaccine in the United States or Europe for the prevention of Group A Streptococcal disease.
''The issuance of this patent demonstrates the breadth and depth of the vaccine technology at North American Vaccine and highlights the untapped value in the company's pipeline,'' stated Dr. Randal Chase, Chief Executive Officer and President of North American Vaccine, Inc. ''The development work in this product and the resulting patent underscores the company's commitment to creating new and novel products for the prevention of serious, life threatening diseases where there are no viable prevention options currently approved.'' The Company is in pre-clinical stages of development of its Group A Streptococcal conjugate vaccine using novel carrier proteins.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the throat. The most common disease caused by GAS is ''strep throat''; however, skin infections like impetigo or pyoderma can also be due to GAS and although more rare, GAS can cause life threatening infections such as septicemia (infection of the blood), cellulitis (infection in and under the skin), necrotizing fasciitis (destruction of fat and muscle), and rarely, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). These severe forms are often referred to as ''invasive GAS.'' Serious complications of GAS infection include rheumatic fever and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 10,000 to 15,000 severe infections occur every year in this country, resulting in 2,000 to 3,000 deaths annually.
''GAS is responsible for a large burden of disease in young children, and very serious, potentially lethal, disease in infants, children and adults'', noted Stephen Keith, MD, MSPH, Vice President -Marketing & Sales. ''We expect that this GAS vaccine will be indicated for use in infants, children and adults, will save lives and prevent considerable disease, and will prove to be quite cost-effective and cost-saving.'' |
