WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a groundbreaking study
released today by BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), a vaccine to
prevent tuberculosis presents a significant opportunity for industry
investment with a potential global market of US $450 million to nearly $1
billion.
The first study of its kind, Tuberculosis Vaccines: The Case for
Investment analyzes the demand for a tuberculosis vaccine and the potential
return on industry investment, while demonstrating that a new TB vaccine
would have tremendous public health impact.
"This study supports -- with quantitative analysis -- the premise that
products that address a key problem of global health can also generate
sustainable business strategies," said Dr. Christopher Earl, President and
CEO of BVGH. "The biotechnology industry's innovation and involvement is
integral to neglected disease R&D. We encourage leaders in the field to
consider these findings when exploring opportunities for new product
development."
Every year, tuberculosis kills more than 2 million people and
approximately 8 million new cases develop, according to the World Health
Organization. In Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, two regions with the greatest
disease burden, TB vaccines could reduce deaths by as much as 62 percent.
The current TB vaccine, known as BCG, has limited efficacy in the
developing world, where it is needed most.
"This study is a key achievement in the field. BVGH confirms that
pursuing solutions to global health challenges is not only good business
but a compelling opportunity to save millions of lives," said Alexander von
Gabain, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Intercell AG. Intercell
AG, which develops innovative vaccines for the prevention and treatment of
infectious disease, is currently partnering with Statens Serum Institute to
develop a tuberculosis vaccine.
The report identifies 11 TB vaccine candidates in the pipeline, with
several candidates in human clinical trials. Further industry involvement
is necessary to build on the scientific progress of these candidates and
ensure vaccines ultimately reach the market.
"Industry's expertise is invaluable in our work to make an effective
and affordable vaccine for TB a reality. We hope that this study encourages
more companies to get involved in the fight against tuberculosis," said Dr.
Jerald C. Sadoff, President & CEO of Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, a
product development partnership that works with public and private sectors
to develop promising tuberculosis vaccine candidates.
The full report is available at http://www.bvgh.org.
About BVGH: BIO Ventures for Global Health, a non-profit organization,
is harnessing the resources of the biotechnology industry to create new
medicines for neglected diseases of the developing world. Our mission is to
break down barriers that hinder industry involvement in global health
product development and to catalyze industry investment through new
market-based solutions. We are supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Biotechnology Industry
Organization, and leading companies in the biopharmaceutical industry.
SOURCE BIO Ventures for Global Health
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Related links:
http://www.bvgh.org
http://www.bio.org
CONTACT:
Paige Rohe, +1-202-478-3692,
prohe@apcoworldwide.com, for BIO Ventures for Global Health
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