BIO Ventures for Global Health Study Identifies Significant Market for Tuberculosis Vaccines
Contact:
Paige Rohe, BVGH
202-478-3692
prohe@apcoworldwide.com
WASHINGTON, October 20, 2006 — 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.
“BVGH's 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 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.
