The fight against invasive fungal diseases is set to gain momentum with a significant federal investment. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded up to $40 million in non-dilutive funding to facilitate the development of a second-generation fungal vaccine candidate known as VXV-01. This funding will support the collaboration between the Lundquist Institute (TLI) and Vitalex Biosciences, enabling them to move forward with clinical trials.
Fungal infections, particularly those caused by Candida species, have become increasingly problematic, especially in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. The rise of Candida auris and Candida albicans has been particularly concerning due to their resistance to current antifungal treatments. This has resulted in higher morbidity and mortality rates, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Advancing Vaccine Development
VXV-01 is developed using TLI’s Therapeutic & Laboratory Immunology technology platform. It is a dual-antigen vaccine designed to generate strong immune responses against both key opportunistic fungal pathogens and Gram-negative bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections. The funding will enable the team to begin manufacturing and preparing for two Phase I clinical trials.
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim, principal investigator and program lead for VXV-01, emphasized the importance of this funding. “Securing this contract is a pivotal moment for our team,” he stated. “By putting VXV-01 into development through human trials, we are significantly increasing our chances of making this vaccine a reality. It is the culmination of years of work on our TLI technology platform and reflects our commitment to tackling high-impact infectious disease challenges.”
This announcement marks a significant milestone for TLI, a nonprofit research organization founded in 1952, located in the heart of Los Angeles County. With a focus on developing advanced vaccines, TLI is positioned at the forefront of crucial medical research.
Collaboration for Innovation
Vitalex, which holds an exclusive option to license VXV-01 from TLI for commercial development, is a start-up focused on advancing technologies emerging from the Ibrahim lab. This lab specializes in creating vaccines targeting multidrug-resistant infections, including those caused by Candida albicans and Candida auris, as well as Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Additionally, Appili Therapeutics is involved in this initiative, working on a range of anti-infectives, including a vaccine candidate for tularemia and a topical antiparasitic for leishmaniasis. Their commitment to advancing treatments for antimicrobial-resistant infections aligns with the objectives of the VXV-01 project.
As the landscape of infectious diseases continues to evolve, the development of VXV-01 represents a hopeful advancement in the battle against fungal infections. The significant federal investment underscores the critical need for innovative solutions in public health and highlights the collaborative efforts of leading research institutions and biotechnology companies.
