$467,000 Funds Maternal Vaccine to Prevent Neonatal Sepsis

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a harmful bacteria that poses a severe threat to newborns, causing neonatal sepsis infections that can be life-threatening. Given the underdeveloped immune systems of newborns, they are particularly vulnerable to such infections.

The risk of death from neonatal sepsis increases by 7.6% every hour a treatment is delayed.

However, there is currently no vaccine available for pregnant women to prevent this medical issue.

In an attempt to fill this void, the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) has taken an assertive stance by announcing $467k funding for GlyProVac to develop a maternal vaccine (GPV02) that targets E. coli.

This strategic move will help combat this bacterial species and save the lives of many newborns at risk of these severe infections.

GPV02 uses a selected bacterial protein, naturally decorated with small sugar molecules, to trigger an immune response for protection. This approach differs from previous attempts to develop protein-based bacterial vaccines since it involves specific natural sugar modifications previously undiscovered.

GlyProVac uses BEMAP technology to ensure that GPV02 correctly imitates E. coli, thus preparing the immune system to recognize the bacterium when an infection occurs.

Erin Duffy, Ph.D., R&D Chief of CARB-X, commented in a press release on February 29, 2024, "Because newborns at risk for neonatal sepsis are too young to be immunized, the vaccine would be administered to expectant mothers and target bacteria that cause neonatal bloodstream infections in babies."

"The vaccinated mothers would pass antibodies on to their babies in utero and through breastmilk after birth to strengthen their newborns' immune systems, helping them ward off infections."

The BARNARDS study estimated that 2.5 million neonates or infants in the first month of life die annually of sepsis, with the most significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. Since neonatal sepsis progresses rapidly, it requires immediate treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics.

GlyProVac is a research and development company from the University of Southern Denmark in Odense committed to reducing bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance worldwide.