University of Edinburgh: Vaccine against severe pneumonia in horses

A new vaccine candidate provides a method for the prevention of Rhodococcus equi, a bacteria recognised as the cause of a potentially fatal pneumonia affecting foals worldwide.

Requi is regarded to be one of the most significant pathogens in the equine breeding industry, causing at least 45% of all fatal pneumonia in foals.

The current method for treating R.equi infections is through the prolonged administration of a combination of antimicrobials, which risks antibiotic resistance and adverse drug reactions in the horse.

Studies of Edinburgh's vaccine target showed that neutralizing antibodies may be raised that prevent attachment of the pathogen to host cells and thus block the initial stages of lung infection and onset of the disease. The target may also be drugable or inhibited with a monoclonal antibody.

Key Benefits

• Novel vaccine target, never previously identified
• Antibody-mediated immunity, vaccination of mares will transfer protection to the foal with the colostrum
• A second vaccination in the foal after the decline of maternal antibodies will reinforce protection
• A vaccine potentially offers significant cost savings compared to current methods of treatment

Applications

• Veterinary market for the treatment of horses
• Treatment of infections in immuno-compromised humans

IP Status

• The vaccine target has been validated by molecular and genomic analysis. Several different vaccines have also been developed including a monoclonal antibody and a peptide.
• A PCT patent (PCT/GB2010/051889) has been filed on this technology, with a priority date of 11th November 2009.
• The University of Edinburgh is seeking partners to help commercialise the technology via licensing and collaborative research.

More information: http://www.university-technology.com/details/s700