New supplementary Strangvac study demonstrates immunological memory with long duration
The Swedish biotechnology company Intervacc has now taken another step towards confirming the effect of its vaccine, one of the company's development development projects, against the infamous streptococcal infection strangles in the horse. A new supplementary study shows that horses vaccinated with the vaccine Strangvac maintain an "immunological memory" against the disease 12 months after vaccination. The result of the study means that a re-vaccination within 12 months, instead of previously shown 6 months, after basic vaccination very quickly restores a protection.
Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection in horses - especially feared within trotting and gallop activities as well as at riding schools, as risk exposure increases when horses come into contact with hidden carriers. Getting rid of strangles infection involves extensive work. The infection leads to severe suffering for the horses, and the financial consequences are often high for affected facilities due to inhibited business and sanitation measures.
- The new study, in combination with previous studies, shows that intramuscular vaccination with the Strangvac vaccine provides effective protection and also a rapid immune response (booster effect) at revaccination up to one year after basic vaccination. These are pleasing results that are of great importance in the development of guidelines and vaccination programs for how Strangvac will be used. Today there is no fully safe and satisfactory vaccine against strangles on the world market, as shown by current reported outbreaks from around the world, says Jan-Ingmar Flock, CEO Intervacc AB.
Strangles is a notifiable disease in Sweden. In Sweden, the annual number of recorded index cases has been around 100 in recent years, which usually means that many more horses in a stable will be affected. The problem with strangles in the horse industry is global, with only one exception for Iceland - where other horses are never allowed to enter the country due to risks with disease dissemination.
The current results are yet another important incentive for horse owners to first give the two basic vaccinations in order to prevent strangles in horses. A re-vaccination (booster) with only one dose within 12 months can then provide a rapid renewed protection within one week. Such a booster dose will be recommended at times of an increased risk of exposure to the horses, such as at competitions, transportation or identification of a case of strangles. This harmonises with recommendations for vaccination against horse influenza.
Strangvac has undergone clinical trials and safety tests with good results. Intervacc intends to submit a registration application for Strangvac at the end of 2019, a new recombinant vaccine against equine strangles.
For more information please contact:
Jan-Ingmar Flock, CEO
E-mail: jan-ingmar.flock@intervacc.com
Phone: +46-8-120 10 602 or +46-73-334 14 11
This information is information that Intervacc AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:30 CET on October 15, 2018.
About Intervacc
Intervacc AB (publ) is a company within the Biotechnology sector. The Company´s main area is to develop modern sub-unit vaccines against economically important bacterial infections, mainly within animal health. The company´s vaccine candidates are based on several years of research at Karolinska Institutet and Swedish University of Agricultural Research where the foundation was laid for the company´s research and development work. The Intervacc share has been listed on the NASDAQ First North market since April 2017 with Eminova Fondkommission AB as Certified Adviser.
Tags:
