Developing a maternal vaccine against
Group B Streptococcus
Our Focus
MinervaX is pursuing the development of a maternal vaccine for the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes and life-threating infections caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS). The vaccine is based on adjuvanted proteins antigens covering close to 100% of clinical GBS isolates.
What is GBS?
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common commensal colonizing some 20% of pregnant women. GBS colonization may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and is the leading cause of life-threatening infections in newborn babies during the first 3 months of life. It is estimated to be responsible for some 320,000 cases of neonatal invasive disease, 60,000 stillbirths, 3,500,000 preterm deliveries, and 10,000 babies suffering from long-term neurological damage annually world-wide.
The National Institute of Health of the US has identified prevention of GBS in newborns as a major vaccine objective, but so far no approved or universally useful vaccine exists. Current intervention involves the use of vast quantities of prophylactic antibiotics given to birthing women, which has resulted in the emergence of wide-spread antibiotic resistance and may impact neonatal development.
A general vaccine effective against relevant strains of GBS is poised to have both a great medical and pharmacoeconomical impact if administered universally to pregnant women.
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Prevention of Group B Streptococcal infections in newborns represents a large unmet medical need.
MinervaX Raises EUR 54M in Upsized Financing to Advance the Development of its Maternal Vaccine Against Group B Streptococcus
New investment from EQT Life Sciences and OrbiMed with participation from existing investors MinervaX will hold financial reserves of more than €125 million, following the...
MinervaX Announces Completion of Enrolment in Phase 1 Clinical Vaccine Trial as it Addresses the Global Burden of Group B Streptococcus in Older Adults
Full enrolment and dosing commenced with its novel, prophylactic GBS vaccine in both healthy older adults and older adult population with co-morbidities First immunological...
MinervaX Commences First Phase 1 Clinical Study of Novel GBS Vaccine in Older Adults
Expands development of novel GBS vaccine in older adult population Targeting significant and growing unmet medical need of GBS infection Copenhagen, Denmark, 17 April 2023 –...