Projects

Syphilis Vaccine Project

Objective: Translation of the results of animal trials to the initiation of clinical trials with human volunteers, something not previously achieved in the history of syphilis. A successful vaccine candidate would attract additional development funding to Washington.

Update: The syphilis vaccine project team has completed immunizations in rabbits using their first vaccine formulation. Results suggested that one particular antibody was associated with protection, which has informed further studies. Evaluation of the effectiveness of additional vaccine formulations is also currently underway.

Project Lead: University of Washington
Collaborators: University of Victoria and IDRI

E.coli Vaccine Project

Objective:  Development of E.coli vaccine for livestock, a logical and uniquely cost-effective public health measure likely to be more effective and more easily implemented than human immunization against these agents. Since Washington is a major beef cattle producer, a successful vaccine could minimize health and economic costs of future outbreaks.

Update: The E.coli vaccine project team has developed a series of trials involving cattle. Trials 1-3, aimed at identifying the optimal adjuvant and delivery vehicle for the vaccine, are complete. Results were used to inform the design of Trial 4, which is slated for completion midyear.

Project Lead: Washington State University
Collaborators: University of Washington, University of Idaho, University of Queensland, and IDRI

HSV-2 Vaccine Project

Objective: Development of a vaccine candidate to prevent or treat chronic infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). A vaccine would produce significant economic returns, along with reduced health costs.

Update: For the HSV-2 vaccine project, WAVA is in the process of finalizing collaboration agreements and milestones for the HSV-2 vaccine project, with plans for the clinical trial to begin early in 2012.

Project Leads: University of Washington, Immune Design Corp.
Collaborator: IDRI

Salmonella Vaccine Project

Objective: Early proof of concept for a salmonella vaccine candidate in poultry.

Update: The salmonella pilot project team has completed the initial screening experiment to standardize dosage. The first screen in chickens will begin in Spring 2011.

Project Lead: Washington State University

Typhoid Vaccine Project

Objective: Early proof of concept for a typhoid vaccine candidate.

Update: The typhoid project was approved for funding and work will be underway soon.

Project Lead: University of Washington

All projects are funded by the Life Sciences Discovery Fund and matching contributions from project lead organizations.