ALPIONER THERAPEUTICS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) causes acute and chronic difficult_to_treat/deadly infections mainly of the lung, of the urinary tract or of open wounds in hospitals. The curative treatments such as antibiotics are not sufficient to eradicate Pa due to resistance phenomena. Previous attempts of vaccine development have failed to demonstrate their efficacy in preventing these serious infections mainly because of the narrowed antigen-specific approach. As a result, no vaccine is currently available on the market.

The technology is based on an innovative attenuation process of a genetically modified strain of PA to obtain a killed but metabolically active bacteria KBMA. This vaccine candidate positively controls the expression of SST3 and other relevant antigens, for a varied and more complete humoral response. Moreover, it strongly activates the secretion of Il-17 stimulating the Th17-type response necessary for the complete clearance of Pa from the lungs.

This dual targeting strategy of the MMAVAX vaccine is designed to produce a strong protection against infections and to prevent any possible escape from Pa eradiction. In addition, the patented technology prevents any possibility of copying or counterfeiting MMAVAX vaccine.

We have a vaccine candidate which demonstrated its positive efficacy/safety profile in/vitro and in animal models. The preclinical proof of concept is well established and its biomanufacturing process is consolidated under lab conditions. We are now in the process of consolidating the preclinical package and of tech transfer/upscaling the process an industrial size in order to get GMP batches.

MMAVAX vaccine candidate is aiming at protecting “high-risk” populations of patients against Pa infections and its dramatic consequences. Such high-risk populations are (i) cystic fibrosis patients, (ii) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients or (iii) patients scheduled for major surgery in the hospital.