Recent news
January 2012
Aeras to partner with leading Chinese biotechnology company to develop TB vaccines
January 19, 2012 -- GHTC member Aeras will begin collaborating with the leading Chinese biotechnology corporation China National Biotech Group (CNBG) to develop a new vaccine to fight tuberculosis (TB). This announcement comes shortly after several cases of TB resistant to all first- and second-line drugs were reported in India. The lack of an effective vaccine coupled with the rise of drug-resistant strains of the disease contributed to the formation of this partnership—according to CNBG President Yang Xiaoming, the ideal vaccine would prevent all strains of TB, even drug-resistant strains. The only existing vaccine to prevent TB is almost 100 years old and is ineffective in preventing the most infectious form of the disease for most populations.
“The synergy created by bringing together our scientific and manufacturing expertise could have a substantial impact on efforts to advance innovative candidates in TB vaccine development,” said Jim Connolly, president and CEO of Aeras.
The collaboration will involve many research institutes, which all operate through CNBG, working with Aeras to develop, manufacture, and distribute affordable new vaccines to help save lives around the world. From pre-clinical research to manufacturing, the partnership aims to cover all parts of the vaccine development.
The decision to work with China was rooted in the country’s high rates of TB, as well as the high level of technical expertise and resources needed to develop a vaccine.
Yang said, “CNBG has a great deal of expertise and energy to invest in this partnership. Not only is TB a public health crisis of the developing world, it is also a priority health issue here in China. We look forward to working with our counterparts at Aeras to develop new TB vaccines that will help stop tuberculosis in all corners of the world.”
