Hyderabad, March 24 (IANS) – Clinical trials of the Spanish tuberculosis vaccine MTBVAC have commenced among adults in India. The trials, conducted by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Biofabri, aim to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the new vaccine. A pivotal trial is planned for 2025.
The MTBVAC vaccine, an attenuated variant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a potential milestone in global vaccinology. Unlike the existing BCG vaccine, which has limited effectiveness against pulmonary tuberculosis, MTBVAC has the potential to prevent transmission of the disease. The collaboration between Bharat Biotech and Biofabri represents a significant public-private and international effort.
Bharat Biotech’s Executive Chairman, Krishna Ella, expressed optimism about the trials, stating that the quest for a more effective TB vaccine has received a boost with the initiation of clinical trials in India. The goal is to develop vaccines for adults and adolescents to combat the high burden of TB cases in the country and globally.
The Phase3 clinical trial of MTBVAC involves vaccinating newborns in South Africa, Madagascar, and Senegal to assess the vaccine’s immunogenicity and efficacy. The vaccine will be administered intradermally to infants on their first day of life. The study, partially funded by the European Union, is part of a consortium led by Biofabri.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, health restrictions have led to increased TB infections and reduced diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a rise in annual TB deaths to over 1.6 million. The ongoing Phase2 study in HIV-infected adults in South Africa aims to determine the safety and immunogenicity of MTBVAC in this population.
The clinical trials of MTBVAC represent a significant step towards developing a more effective vaccine against tuberculosis. With the potential to reduce the burden of TB globally, the collaboration between Bharat Biotech and Biofabri highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing public health challenges.
