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Non-live nanoparticle-based vaccine development

Research Laboratory is a part of Vaccine Research Center at Tampere University.  A main project of the laboratory is development of a new generation non-live nanoparticle based vaccines. The laboratory and the vaccine development work is led by Dr. Vesna Blazevic, Head of Laboratory. The most advanced vaccine candidate is a combination vaccine against childhood gastroenteritis caused by norovirus and rotavirus. The vaccine is based on recombinant norovirus capsid protein derived virus-like particles (VLPs) and rotavirus VP6 protein. Vaccine design and immunogenicity have been extensively studied in recent years. Negotiations with industrial partners with GMP production facilities to advance the vaccine to phase I clinical trials are ongoing.

Background

The combination vaccine against norovirus and rotavirus has been extensively investigated in preclinical studies. Combination vaccine has been shown to induce protective antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in murine models against both viruses. Moreover, rotavirus VP6 protein component of the vaccine has been shown to have adjuvant effect on NoV-specific immune responses, suggesting that pediatric norovirus - rotavirus vaccine could be administrated without external adjuvants. The vaccine is ready to proceed to clinical grade (GMP) production and clinical development in a collaboration with industrial partners. There is a large number of publications on vaccine development and immunological and epidemiological research on these viruses (read more).

Goal

Noroviruses and rotaviruses are the major causative agents of pediatric acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide, causing together over 400 000 deaths per year, mainly in developing countries. Furthermore, noroviruses cause one million hospitalizations annually across all age groups. Symptoms can be severe, especially for people in high-risk groups, such as young children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients.  

There is no licensed vaccine against norovirus available, and despite efficacious live rotavirus vaccines currently in use, there is a need for new generation non-live rotavirus vaccines that could improve the affordability, efficacy and safety, especially in developing countries. Our goal is to produce a pediatric norovirus - rotavirus combination vaccine for infants and young children (<6 months to 5-year-old). An effective norovirus - rotavirus combination vaccine would eliminate most of severe acute gastroenteritis in children.

Funding source

UMN Pharma Inc., Japan (2011-2013) and ICON Genetics GmbH, Germany (2015-present)

Contact persons

Vesna Blazevic

Dr, Ph.D. / Head of Laboratory

vesna.blazevic [at] tuni.fi

+358 50 421 1054