Positive results from Strangvac clinical trials published in scientific journal Vaccine
Results and analyses from clinical trials on the Strangvac vaccine research project have been published online in the leading scientific journal ‘Vaccine’. The article highlights that Strangvac is safe and provides significant levels of protection to horses against strangles after only two doses. The study also showed that this initial course of two doses of Strangvac induced an immunological memory that lasted for at least 12 months. Activation of the immune memory by a booster dose of Strangvac given after 3 months successfully protected 94 % of ponies from strangles, highlighting the important role that this vaccine, pending approval, can play in minimizing the frequency and impact of this devastating infection. Importantly, the vaccination of horses with Strangvac did not interfere with the diagnostic tests for strangles.
Strangles is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi, which produces large, pus-filled abscesses in the head and neck of horses. The disease can restrict the airway and results in the death of around 1% of infected horses, although this can be as high as 10 % in some outbreaks. Strangles is endemic throughout the world with an estimated 600 outbreaks in the UK and up to 100 in Sweden each year.
“This new scientific article highlights the results achieved by Strangvac during clinical trials of the vaccine that were conducted by experts at the Animal Health Trust” says Prof. Jan-Ingmar Flock, CSO of Intervacc AB. “The study illustrates how Strangvac can be used to prevent horses from developing strangles if they should be exposed to Streptococcus equi. Our results also suggest that Strangvac will play an important role in improving health and welfare of the horses and minimizing economic impact of outbreaks”
Strangvac is a new type of vaccine based on world-leading research at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Karolinska Institute. “Strangvac contains fragments of eight different proteins to maximise its effectiveness and ability to target different strains of Streptococcus equi that cause disease in horses throughout the world” explains Professor Bengt Guss of the SLU’s Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health. “The technology used to develop Strangvac will be used to develop additional safe vaccines against bacteria that cause a wide range of other diseases.”
“Earlier this year we submitted data from these published studies on Strangvac to the European Medicines Agency as part of our application for a Community marketing authorisation,” continued Prof. Flock.
"Intramuscular vaccination with Strangvac is safe and induces protection against equine strangles caused by Streptococcus equi" by Carl Robinson, Andrew S. Waller, Lars Frykberg, Margareta Flock, Olof Zachrisson, Bengt Guss, and Jan-Ingmar Flock. The paper can be accessed at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.046 published by Elsevier.
For further information please contact:
Andreas Andersson, CEO
Phone: +46 (0)8 120 10 601
Cell: +46 (0)73 335 99 70
E-mail: andreas.andersson@intervacc.com
The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on June 4, 2020, 08.30 CET.
About Vaccine
Vaccine is the pre-eminent journal for those interested in vaccines and vaccination. It is the official journal of The Edward Jenner Society and The Japanese Society for Vaccinology and is published by Elsevier www.elsevier.com/locate/vaccine
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, 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 Growth Market since April 2017 with Eminova Fondkommission AB, adviser@eminova.se, +46 (0)8–684 211 10 as Certified Adviser.
About Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. This is achieved by research, education and environmental monitoring and assessment. Research areas include agriculture, forestry, fishery, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences and landscape architecture. Visit the website at https://www.slu.se/en/
About Karolinska Institutet
Karolinska Institutet is a world leading medical university. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Visit the website at http://ki.se/en/startpage
About the Animal Health Trust
The Animal Health Trust is the UK’s leading veterinary and scientific research charity, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of dogs, cats and horses. It aims to improve the health and welfare of horses, dogs and cats through research, but also provides specialist referral services and continuous education to vets. Visit the website at www.aht.org.uk
Contact information Certified Adviser
Eminova Fondkommission AB
E-mail: adviser@eminova.se, Phone: +46 (0)8 – 684 211 10
