Bioniche's research scientists give presentations at Modern Vaccine and Adjuvant Formulation Conference

Oct 18 2010

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX: BNC), a research-based, technology driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced that two of its senior research scientists gave presentations at the Modern Vaccine and Adjuvant Formulation Conference in Cannes, France this week.

Challenge Study Results for Econiche^TM

Dr. Dragan Rogan, Chief Veterinary Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., presented a paper that he co-authored, "Vaccination with Type III Secreted Proteins Leads to Decreased Shedding in Calves Following Experimental Infection with Escherichia coli O157". The other authors were Dr. Kevin Allen, Dr. Brett Finlay, Dr. Andrew Potter and Dr. David Asper.

Dr. Rogan's presentation summarized the results of a study of the Company's E. coli O157 vaccine in an  experimental infection (controlled challenge) model, whereby thirty calves were immunized with the vaccine and commingled with thirty calves that were administered a saline-adjuvant placebo. Calves were vaccinated three times in a 42-day period, then were infected with E. coli O157. Fecal shedding was monitored daily for 14 days. During this period, vaccinates were shown to have a mean log shedding reduction of 1.4> E. coli O157, as well as the number of organisms shed. These data supported the full licensure of the Company's E. coli O157 vaccine (trademarked Econiche^TM) by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as announced in October, 2008.

Immune Adjuvant Activity of Novel Oligonucleotide Sequences

Dr. Nigel C. Phillips, Senior Vice-President, Scientific Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer at Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., gave a presentation about the Company's oligonucleotide development program and the latest oligonucleotide sequences that have been shown to have immune adjuvant activity. His presentation was co-authored by Mélanie Lehoux and Mario C. Filion.  

Dr. Phillips highlighted the fact that these oligonucleotide sequences contain non-DNA-bases and, unlike other oligonucleotide immune adjuvants, do not require chemical modifications such as backbone protection or terminal modification. The Company's sequences have demonstrated immune adjuvant activity in animal models using hepatitis B surface antigen and H1N1 virions. These models have shown that they are capable of inducing antiviral antibodies using very limited amounts of antigen and short-term immunization protocols.