Description of Invention:
Cholera remains an important public health problem. Epidemic cholera is caused by two Vibrio cholerae serotypes O1 and O139. The disease is spread through contaminated water. According to information reported to the World Health Organization in 1999, nearly 8,500 people died and another 223,000 were sickened with cholera worldwide. This invention is a polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine to prevent and treat infection by Vibrio cholerae O139 comprising the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of V. cholerae O139 conjugated through a dicarboxylic acid dihydrazide linker to a mutant diphtheria toxin carrier. In addition to the conjugation methods, also claimed in the invention are methods of immunization against V. cholerae O139 using the conjugates of the invention. The inventors have shown that the conjugates of the invention elicited in mice high levels of serum antibodies to CPS, a surface antigen of Vibrio cholerae O139, that have vibriocidal activity. Clinical trials of the two most immunogenic conjugates have been planned by the inventors. The conjugate vaccine is aimed for long lasting immunity, especially in young children, and can be administered in concurrent with routine vaccines.
Inventors:
Shousun Szu (NICHD) Zuzana Kossaczka (NICHD) John Robbins (NICHD)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-274-2000/0 --
PCT Application No. PCT/US00/24119 filed 01 Sep 2000, which published as WO 02/20059 on 14 Mar 2002
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/363,618 filed 01 Sep 2000
U.S. Patent Application No. 11/695,735 filed 03 Apr 2007
Relevant Publication: Z Kossaczka et al. Vibrio cholerae O139 conjugate vaccines: synthesis and immunogenicity of V. cholerae O139 capsular polysaccharide conjugates with recombinant diphtheria toxin mutant in mice. Infect Immun. 2000 Sep;68(9):5037-5043. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NICHD/LDMI is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Vibrio cholera O139 or O1 conjugate vaccines. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Peter A. Soukas J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4646
Email: soukasp@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
