Imugene itching to launch product

Vet biotech Imugene is pinning big hopes on its recombinant gene-based flea control vaccine currently on trial at Murdoch University.

“The research team has successfully identified the potential vaccine candidates and narrowed the choice down from thirty-five to three,” claimed Imugene managing director Dr Warwick Lamb.

The idea for the vaccines, developed under a Murdoch University team led by Prof Andrew Thompson and Dr Wayne Green, was inspired by the success of the CSIRO biotech tick vaccine used on cattle. It will address the US$1.5billion global flea control market, and if successful, would “dramatically cut the burden of flea control” according to Green.

The research is being conducted under the mantle of a new start-up, Paragen, a joint effort by Imugene and Murdoch. This company has received a 'Linkage Grant' from the Federal Government's Australian Research Council, which will boost R&D funds by $40,000 this year, and $80,000 for the following two years.

The news of a biological solution to the flea problem comes at a highly opportune time, as diazinon (a common ingredient in anti-flea rinses) has been banned by the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Association due to harmful side-effects on pets and humans.

The Paragen solution is to use a recombinant DNA based vaccine, which will break the flea lifecycle, thus halting reproduction. Although it will not necessarily kill the fleas themselves, the end result will be an end to infestation through breeding.

“The three vaccine candidates are now in Stage Two where they will be validated by a separate method,” affirmed Lamb. He added that Stage Three early vaccination trials would be conducted in parallel, to ensure a rapid completion of research and testing.

It is not yet clear if the final product will be in the form of an injected vaccine, or an orally delivered treatment.