SUDBURY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan 23, 2015) - Vaccines have the power to prevent infections that cause cancer - familiar examples include Gardasil and Cervarix to prevent HPV infections that cause cervical cancer. Researchers at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) and Lilly Creek Vaccines are harnessing this principle to develop a new vaccine to combat and eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection in Canada. H. pylori is a bacterium that infects the inner lining of the stomach and can cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer.

As part of this two-year, $575,000 agreement, NRC's Vaccine Program will design a candidate vaccine using glycoconjugate antigens that stimulate the immune system. NRC will also carry out preclinical testing to determine its efficacy. If results are positive, preclinical research and clinical trials in high-risk populations in northern Canada will be conducted by Lilly Creek Vaccines, a new venture created by AMRIC.

Particularly at risk for H. pylori infections are Canada's northern communities, where infection rates range from 50 to 60 percent compared to about 20-30 percent nationally. The parties hope to develop a vaccine that will eradicate H. pylori infection in Canada.

Quick Facts

  • H. pylori infection affects about 50 percent of the world's population - 70 percent in developing countries and 20 to 30 percent in industrialized countries. Most infections occur in childhood, and are linked to poor sanitation and low socio-economic living conditions.
  • H. pylori infection causes gastritis in almost all cases, peptic ulcers in 10 to 15 percent of cases, and gastric cancer in about 1 percent of cases. A class 1 carcinogen, H. pylori increases the risk of gastric cancer sixfold.
  • Located in Sudbury, Ontario, AMRIC is the affiliated research institute of Health Sciences North hospital. AMRIC aims to improve health care outcomes in Northern communities and across Canada. Lilly Creek Vaccines Inc. is a for-profit company created by AMRIC Development Corporation to commercialize emerging vaccine technologies.
  • NRC's Vaccine Program co-develops vaccines with Canadian industry, providing expertise and facilities in antigen design, adjuvants, production, and evaluation.

Quotes

"NRC is a pioneer in glycoconjugate vaccines; we obtained the first patent in this field and discovered the Meningitis C vaccine, which has saved countless lives worldwide. We are proud to work with Lilly Creek Vaccines to co-develop a vaccine against H. pylori that could improve health outcomes for Canadians, especially in our northern communities."

Dr. Roman Szumski, Vice-President, Life Sciences, NRC

We are pleased to initiate this agreement with a first class organization such as NRC. If successfully developed, a vaccine against H. pylori would be a valuable intervention for which there is significant market pull. We look forward to developing this vaccine with the resources of NRC and AMRIC.

Sean Thompson, President and CEO, Lilly Creek Vaccines

At AMRIC, we believe that research is patient care, and this vaccine for Helicobacter pylori could change the way we look at this infection that affects vulnerable populations. The partnership between NRC, AMRIC and Lilly Creek Vaccines brings together resources and talent to Northern Ontario and it will enhance our chances of success in managing this infectious disease.

Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma, CEO and Scientific Director, AMRIC

Additional Links

NRC Vaccine Program

Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada