Also, Prokarium will focus on the development of a dual oral vaccine against typhoid and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) for travelers and developing-country markets. There are 22 million cases of typhoid every year resulting in 200,000 deaths, so an effective oral vaccine could have a significant impact, Prokarium says. Currently there is no dedicated vaccine against ETEC, considered responsible for 300,000 to 500,000 deaths per year, mostly of young children.

 

“I am delighted with the acquisition of this technology from Emergent; the combination of their Salmonella vector with Prokarium’s technologies allows us to develop an advanced oral delivery platform which gives Prokarium the potential to revolutionise vaccinations,” says Dr. Rocky Cranenburgh, Prokarium’s chief scientific officer.