Tuesday, June 25, 2024
ILiAD Biotechnologies, LLC, a biotechnology company focused on combating diseases caused by Bordetella pertussis, has announced the selection of Emmes Group, a global contract research organization, to conduct Phase III trials for its lead pertussis vaccine candidate, BPZE1. The agreement between ILiAD and Emmes Group is currently being finalized.
Emmes Group was chosen for its expertise in vaccine development, ability to manage complex clinical trials, strong local market presence, and integrated technology capabilities. The VaxTrials unit of Emmes Group demonstrated proficiency during the Phase II IB-201P BPZE1 study conducted for ILiAD.
ILiAD Biotechnologies, explained, "Selecting Emmes Group for our Phase III BPZE1 trials was a strategic decision to ensure the highest standards of clinical research. The specialized expertise of VaxTrials in vaccines and the advanced technological capabilities of Veridix AI will be crucial in executing our BPZE1 vaccine clinical development plan."
Sastry Chilukuri, CEO of Emmes Group, commented, "We are pleased and honored that ILiAD has chosen Emmes Group as its partner for advancing the clinical development of BPZE1. We look forward to collaborating closely with ILiAD's clinical development team on this promising new vaccine, which could significantly reduce B. pertussis transmission and disease incidence, especially among vulnerable populations."
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a serious illness caused by the highly contagious bacterium Bordetella pertussis. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pertussis affects approximately 16 million people globally each year and leads to nearly 200,000 deaths. Despite global vaccination coverage estimated at 84%, existing vaccines have not effectively controlled pertussis outbreaks.
BPZE1 is an advanced pertussis vaccine designed to provide comprehensive and durable protection against B. pertussis infection and whooping cough. Developed to prevent B. pertussis from colonizing the nasal passages of adults and children, BPZE1 aims to protect against whooping cough and potentially prevent transmission, including to infants. ILiAD's current focus is on developing a vaccine to directly protect adults and children and indirectly protect vulnerable infants, with future plans to directly immunize neonates. BPZE1 originated at the Institut Pasteur de Lille (France) under the guidance of Camille Locht, PhD, and Nathalie Mielcarek, PhD.
Source: businesswire.com
