ILiAD, Inserm and IPL sign worldwide license agreement for Bordetella pertussis vaccine technology

ILiAD Biotechnologies, LLC (ILiAD), the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) subsidiary, Inserm Transfert SA, and Institut Pasteur de Lille (IPL) today announced the signing of scientific collaboration and worldwide license agreements for live attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine technology, including BPZE1, developed by the laboratory of Professor Camille Locht. This license agreement covers patent rights from Institut Pasteur de Lille, Inserm, National University of Singapore and National University of Ireland Maynooth.

Building on today's publication in the journal PLOS One ("A phase I clinical study of a live attenuated Bordetella pertussis vaccine - BPZE1; […]", Jan. 8, 2013, see link), which suggests that BPZE1 is safe in healthy adults and can induce immune responses targeting Bordetella pertussis, ILiAD, Inserm and IPL now intend to optimize and advance the BPZE technology in preparation for future clinical studies.

"Pertussis remains one of the major vaccine-preventable diseases world-wide, despite large global vaccination coverage. This illustrates the shortcomings of current vaccines and highlights the need to develop a totally different vaccine," said Prof. Camille Locht, head of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Lille, supported by Inserm and Institut Pasteur de Lille. Locht, an inventor of the BPZE technology, added, "In the study published in PLOS One, we have now provided proof of concept that a live attenuated nasal vaccine may be an attractive approach towards eradicating this disease. Following the successful outcome of this study, we are very excited to join forces with ILiAD and are confident that this collaboration will have a major impact on this important public health issue."

"Entering into a close partnership with ILiAD, whereby each party provides expertise, experience and resources, represents an innovative approach for Inserm and Institut Pasteur de Lille to efficiently advance this major technology" said Dr. Stéphane Thumelin, Director Business Development, Licensing. "It is noteworthy that the BPZE platform may provide a wide variety of applications in the field of respiratory diseases," added Augustin Godard, EVP, Open Innovation, both at Inserm Transfert.

"Global eradication of pertussis is the primary objective of ILiAD Biotechnologies," said Dr. Keith Rubin, CEO of ILiAD Biotechnologies. "Given the devastating impact of pertussis and the suboptimal performance of current pertussis vaccines, we believe the vaccine technology developed in Professor Locht's laboratory holds enormous potential to prevent disease and save lives."

Financial details of these agreements remain confidential.