AV0328: Bharat Biotech, Alopexx partner to develop vaccine to combat growing threat of AMR

Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech has tied up with Alopexx to co-develop and commercialize a broad-spectrum antimicrobial vaccine `AV0328'.

The vaccine, developed by Alopexx, targets poly N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), a substance found on a range of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

The collaboration is set to bring AV0328 to India and other low and lower-middle-income countries, addressing the critical need for broad-spectrum solutions in these regions.

Under the agreement, Bharat Biotech will work with Alopexx to develop and distribute the vaccine in licensed territories, with Alopexx entitled to upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on sales.

Collaboration to Address Antimicrobial Resistance

With this collaboration, both companies aim to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the development of vaccines.

Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, expressed the significance of the partnership: “We are proud to collaborate with Alopexx to bring AV0328 to the regions where it is most needed. Our goal is to develop solutions to reduce antimicrobial resistance through vaccination. This collaboration aligns with our mission to provide safe, affordable, and high-quality vaccines to combat infectious diseases globally.”

Alopexx’s Vision for Global Health

Alopexx, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, is focused on developing immune-mediated therapeutics to address bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Their vaccine candidate, AV0328, has shown promise in preclinical studies and has completed a Phase I trial with positive results.

Dr. Daniel Vlock, CEO of Alopexx, remarked on the collaboration: “We are excited to enter into this collaboration with Bharat Biotech. To partner with a company with such vast experience and expertise in vaccine development is a significant validation of the value and potential of Alopexx’s technology. This collaboration brings us one step closer to addressing the critical need for affordable, broad-spectrum antimicrobial solutions, especially in low-and middle-income countries.”

He added, “We also deeply appreciate the collaborative support provided by Bharat Biotech. This support is not only crucial for the advancement of AV0328 but will also significantly bolster our overall clinical programs.”

About AV0328: A Synthetic Broad-Spectrum Vaccine

AV0328 is a synthetic vaccine that targets PNAG, a substance found in a variety of pathogens. In preclinical studies, the vaccine has shown effectiveness in preventing and treating infections caused by over 15 different pathogens. It completed a Phase I trial, demonstrating that it is well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. The trial results also showed that AV0328-induced antibodies were capable of killing a broad range of PNAG-expressing pathogens.

The development of AV0328 is a step toward creating broad-spectrum antimicrobial solutions that can help reduce reliance on antibiotics, a major factor in the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Vlock emphasized the company’s mission, stating, “Our goal is to develop a broad-spectrum, non-antibiotic therapeutic platform for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections. These immune therapeutics will reduce reliance on antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistance.”