Bharat Biotech and the University of Maryland Center for Vaccine Development announced receiving a $4 million award from The Wellcome Trust, UK.
It is for the development of a new conjugate vaccine including initial clinical trials beginning in three years to prevent the potentially lethal infectious disease caused by invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS).
NTS has emerged an important cause of invasive bloodstream infection in sub-Saharan Africa, among young children with malaria and malnutrition, and among adults with HIV. Strains of NTS that can cause systemic disease such as meningitis or sepsis are particularly common in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 20 to 30 per cent of children with such infections die.
Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director Bharat Biotech, said the project reflects the significance of collaborative research to develop affordable vaccines and solve region specific, neglected diseases.
Professor Myron Levine, Director of the Maryland Center said that Bharat Biotech brings critical expertise as project partner in terms of conjugate vaccine development and manufacturing.
The University Center for Vaccine Development has brought in significant grant funding over the past few decades to support its extensive vaccine development programmes.