Stellar’s Immunotherapy Technology Demonstrates Protection Against C. diff Infection

Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. has announced presentation of positive results from a preclinical study of the Company’s KLH-conjugate active immunotherapy vaccine demonstrating protection against Clostridium difficile (“C. diff”) infection in mice.

The study results are being presented this week at the 8th International Conference on the Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of the Clostridia (ClostPath 8) in Queensland, Australia, October 22-26, 2013.

Clostridium difficile is a bacteria found in the intestines that can cause severe and life-threatening intestinal conditions. C. diff infections are at an all-time high and related hospitalizations have tripled in the last decade.

The oral presentation titled “An Anti-C. difficile PSII Polysaccharide-KLH Conjugate Vaccine is Efficacious in Mice” is the result of preclinical research conducted together by scientists from Stellar and the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) (“Guelph”). The work relates to Stellar’s newly acquired active immunotherapy technology targeting the treatment and diagnosis of C. diff.

Stellar’s active immunotherapy technology for C. diff targets cell-surface antigens expressed across many strains of C. diff bacteria. Stellar’s approach combines selected polysaccharides of C. diff with Stellar KLH as carrier and adjuvant.

The presentation at ClostPath 8 describes the design of a PSII-KLH immunotherapy vaccine and its evaluation in a murine model of C. diff infection.

In the study, the data demonstrated that vaccination with a PSII-KLH conjugate vaccine was effective in conferring protective immunity against C. diff infection, by improving survival in vaccinated mice compared to unvaccinated controls.

The study results suggest that Stellar’s PSII-KLH active immunotherapy technology shows promise as an effective approach to treating C. diff. Additional preclinical research is underway.

ClostPath 8 is the preeminent scientific conference in the field of clostridial pathogenesis. The meeting covers the latest discoveries presented by leading international researchers.