The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago underscored the importance of diagnostic and vaccine developers to treat and prevent infectious diseases. Infectious disease is a theme for the INVEST Pitch Perfect contest’s biopharma track, part of MedCity INVEST at the Willis Tower in Chicago, scheduled for May 20-21.
The new deadline for Pitch Perfect submissions is February 21. To learn more, click here.
The Covid-19 pandemic changed the business case for vaccine development for infectious diseases, according to the McKinsey report, Beyond the Pandemic: The Next Chapter in Vaccine Development. But the sector needs more innovation in vaccine development. Vaccines for HIV and the Epstein–Barr virus face technical challenges in identifying appropriate antigens and generating sufficient immune responses, especially for pathogens with complex life cycles, according to the report. Despite a flurry of clinical development activity, clinical trial results have been mixed.
The rise of avian influenza presents a critical new target for vaccine development. GSK paid $431.4 million to acquire CureVac’s clinical-stage mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases. The deal includes an avian influenza vaccine in Phase 1 clinical trials, along with a seasonal influenza vaccine and a Covid-19 vaccine, both in Phase 2 testing.
Vaxcyte develops vaccines with the goal of eliminating invasive bacterial infections that have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked, according to its website. Last year, Vaxcyte initiated Phase 2 testing of its vaccine to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease in infants. In addition to pneumococcal disease, the company is also developing vaccines for Group A Strep, periodontitis, and Shigella.
Barinthus Biotherapeutics is developing immunotherapies for chronic infectious diseases, among other areas. Its lead therapeutic is an immunotherapeutic aimed at chronic hepatitis B, currently in Phase 2 clinical studies. Hepatitis B is estimated to affect more than 200 million people worldwide, and just over 1 million people in the U.S. One significant challenge is that many with the condition are asymptomatic so they are unaware they have contracted the disease.
Diagnostic developers are taking innovative approaches to infectious diseases as well.
MeMed uses host-response technologies for its diagnostics. The company uses machine learning for rapid measurement of the immune response to transform infectious disease care. A test aimed at patients suspected of having sepsis received breakthrough device designation in December 2024.
Delve Bio uses metagenomic next-generation sequencing for infectious diseases. Its approach analyzes nucleic acids in each patient to detect bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, according to its website. The company uses its proprietary tech to rapidly analyze hundreds of millions of sequences to accurately identify the pathogen responsible for the infectious disease.
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