Rabies Vaccination May Become One-week Regimens

A next-generation rabies vaccine candidate could soon replace current options. Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, rabies persists in over 150 countries and territories.

YS Biopharma Co., Ltd. today announced positive interim results from the ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial of its PIKA Rabies Vaccine.

The study's interim results indicate that the PIKA Rabies Vaccine has successfully met the primary endpoints of the Trial and has the potential to achieve best-in-class accelerated protection and meet the goal of a one-week rabies vaccine regimen to replace the conventional three- or four-week regimens.

The PIKA Rabies Vaccine utilizes YS Biopharma's proprietary PIKA adjuvant technology and is designed to produce a more robust immune response in an accelerated timespan than existing rabies vaccines.

The PIKA Rabies Vaccine was granted U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for prevention of rabies virus infection, including post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies.

Dr. David Shao, CEO of YS Biopharma, stated in a press release on April 9, 2024, "We remain committed to working closely with drug regulatory agencies in various countries, including the Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore, China, and other jurisdictions regarding the product registration and marketing application."

"We eagerly anticipate the early approval of this innovative therapy for the benefit of patients worldwide."

According to the World Health Organization, two types of vaccines protect people against rabies: nerve tissue and cell culture vaccines.

In the United States, rabies vaccines have been U.S. FDA-approved.

Bats are one of the most commonly reported rabid animals in the U.S. and are the leading cause of rabies deaths in people, says the U.S. CDC.

About 5,000 animal rabies cases are reported annually. Human rabies cases in the U.S. are rare, with only 1 to 3 cases reported annually.

Rabid bats have been found in all 49 continental states. Only Hawaii is rabies-free.

Worldwide, infected dogs cause approximately 59,000 rabies deaths.