European biotechnology company Valneva SE (Valneva) announced today the continuation of the current phase II/III clinical trial of its Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine candidate IC43.
Valneva and its co-development partner decided to continue the trial following different assessments including analyses conducted by a Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) and consultation with two European regulatory agencies and experts.
The continuation decision was taken since the interim analysis showed a clinically meaningful reduction in all-cause mortality rates for the vaccine group as compared to placebo and no safety concerns were observed. These findings were in-line with previous Phase II results.
Valneva expects to resume recruitment for the trial in the second quarter of 2014. In addition to the 394 patients already enrolled, another 400 ventilated intensive care patients are planned initially to be enrolled in this second phase of the study in 40 different sites. Preliminary results are expected at the end of 2015 / early 2016
Although the difference on all-cause mortality between vaccine and placebo groups on day 28 (primary endpoint) at interim analysis was smaller than initially prespecified, the development partners concurred to progress with the original sample size to potentially achieve statistical significance in this pivotal trial earlier on a potential route to licensure. The company is however also considering the option to extend the study further if needed and justified.
Thomas Lingelbach, President and Chief Executive Officer and Franck Grimaud, President and Chief Business Officer of Valneva, commented, “We are encouraged by the interim results. This study aims to deliver a major improvement for intensive-care unit patients. Continuing the trial gives us the prospect of a potential novel nosocomial vaccine that may save many lives and underpins our ambition to develop groundbreaking innovation to improve patient’s health”
Valneva’s Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine candidate is targeted for ventilated intensive care patients, who are vaccinated after ICU admission and are at particular risk of life threatening Pseudomonas infections. Targeted patients include more than 700 000 patients in Europe and US.
About Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections which patients acquire in hospitals during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions. Nosocomial infections are becoming a prominent problem as patients admitted to hospitals are on the average older, multimorbid, may have reduced immunocompetence and are increasingly compromised by antibiotic resistant bacteria circulating in hospitals across the world. Of the 2 million nosocomial infections in the U.S. alone per year, 10% are caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacterium is the number 1 cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia, the number 2 cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia and the number 4 cause of surgical site infections.
In particular for intensive care patients, severe burns patients, cancer and transplant patients who are immunosuppressed, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes the most severe and life threatening infections with a mortality rate of approximately 50%.
Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are often difficult to treat because of the increasing antibiotic resistance of these bacteria indicating the high medical need for additional treatments or preventive measures. Currently, there is no vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa available.
In 2007, Valneva (formerly Intercell) and Novartis announced a major strategic alliance to accelerate innovation in vaccines development in infectious diseases. The partnership is centered around the shared vision of science in vaccines research, development and commercialization. Beside the use of Valneva's adjuvant technology (IC31®) in selected vaccines it focuses on the development of vaccine products for which, upon Novartis' opt in, Valneva has the right at its election either to profit-share with Novartis or to receive potential milestones and royalties tied to sales-performance.
About Valneva SE
Valneva is a European biotech company focused on vaccine development and antibody discovery. It was formed in 2013 through the merger between Intercell AG and Vivalis SA. Valneva’s mission is to excel in both antibody discovery, and vaccine development and commercialization, either through in-house programs or in collaboration with industrial partners using innovative technologies developed by the company. Valneva generates diversified revenue from both its marketed product, a vaccine for the prevention of Japanese encephalitis (IXIARO®), commercial partnerships around a portfolio of product candidates (in-house and partnered), and licensed technology platforms (EB66® cell line, VIVA|Screen® antibody discovery technology, and the IC31® adjuvant) developed by Valneva that are becoming widely adopted by the biopharmaceutical industry worldwide. Headquartered in Lyon, France, the company employs approximately 280 people in France, Austria, Scotland, the United States, and Japan. The internationally experienced management team has a proven track-record across research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Forward-Looking Statements
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