Lipovaxin-TB

The development of a new, effective vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a major international health priority. Lipotek’s candidate TB vaccines exploit the linkage between innate and adaptive immunity. They are versatile multi-component vaccines that consist of Lipovaxin nano-vehicles loaded with one or more recombinant TB antigens or a complex mixture of antigens derived from whole mycobacteria. Nano-vehicles loaded with the antigen/s cargo are directed to TLR5 receptors on DCs by recombinant His-tagged flagellin molecules anchored to the nano-vehicle by 3NTA-DTDA.

The vaccines are designed to achieve delivery of multiple TB antigens for TLR5-mediated antigen processing and DC activation. Encouraging results have been obtained from early proof-of-concept studies of Lipovaxin-TB prototype vaccines formulated using ESAT-6 and Ag85C recombinant antigens, with or without supplementation with BCG-derived antigens. The approach is versatile and additional recombinant TB antigens can be easily added or exchanged.

Lipotek is seeking collaborators who are interested in the use of this technology for the delivery of novel TB antigens.