Staphylococcus aureus vaccine on track

Austrian company Intercell has announced the completion of the phase I study of its Staphylococcus aureus vaccine.

The study, which involved over 120 healthy adult volunteers, compared the safety and immunogenicity of different doses of the new antigen.

The data showed that the vaccine is safe and generally well tolerated. Immune responses were observed within several weeks following vaccination and these responses persisted throughout the course of the study.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent cause of hospital acquired infections. Bloodstream infections have a mortality rate of up to 35%, while infections of bone, heart and other inner organs lead to serious health complications, death and economic burden.

Today, approximately 50% of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in hospitals worldwide are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making management of this disease increasingly difficult and challenging.