During this holiday period when there are many walks in the countryside, tick bites are more frequent. However, these bites are responsible, for some, of Lyme disease. In Nantes, the Valneva laboratory is well advanced on the vaccine.
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Borreliosis, better known as Lyme diseaseaffects 250,000 people each year in Europe and 300,000 in the United States. This bacterial disease, the symptoms of which can range from fever, fatigue, joint pain, to heart attacks, is transmitted by ticks that can be seen while walking in forests or wetlands.
The first symptoms appear from the 3rd day after the bite and possibly within 30 days. We can see an inflammatory red plaque at the site of the bite which will gradually spread. But this erythema does not itch.
On this subject, the editorial staff recommends
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In Nantes, the Valneva laboratory has been working for ten years on a vaccine against Lyme disease and this work has moved to phase 2. The research to develop this vaccine is therefore well advanced, confirms Fabien Perugi, head of the pre-research group. clinical.
Everything has been proven in animals “
“The substance that we are going to put in the vaccine exists, explains Fabien Perugi. We are in the clinical development phase. Everything has been proven in animals. Today, we are testing its effectiveness in humans. It is a very important phase, we measure the effectiveness and we adjust the dosage. The whole goal is to move on to phase 3 which will allow us to test this vaccine on a larger population. “
Fabien Perugi Head of the pre-clinical research group – Valneva company
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A previous vaccine had, however, already been marketed in the early 2000s by another laboratory.
“The previous vaccine only protected two types of this disease, confirms Fabien Perugi. He was stopped. The one we have developed is universal and will protect against the six major types of the disease. We can distribute it all over the world. “
An agreement with an American laboratory
Currently, the vaccine is being tested in both the United States and Europe because the types of bacteria are not the same on these two continents. We speak of “regionality of the bacteria.” Going to phase 3 involves testing on a much larger number of people than the 800 in phase 2. The sample will be 16,000 people. This new step is costly, hence the interest of the agreement which has just been signed by Valneva with the American Pfizer.
“The turnover for this vaccine is estimated at over $ 1 billion.” Franck Grimaud, Managing Director of Valneva Company.
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“We needed a partner. explains Franck Grimaud, CEO of Valneva. A few weeks ago, we announced an agreement with the American Pfizer, one of the four world leaders in the vaccine, with which we will co-finance phase 3 and which will take care of global marketing. This deal will bring us $ 130 million in upfront payments, then $ 200 million and 19% royalties. The turnover of this vaccine is estimated at more than one billion dollars. “
Valneva hopes to market the vaccine against Lyme disease with its partner in 2025.
While waiting for this vaccine, it is advisable to adopt preventive measures such as wearing long clothes, a cap, using a tick repellent and carrying out a visual check after walks. Especially in places that ticks prefer, the bend of the knee, armpits, head, ears.
It is also advisable to bring a tick puller which will allow, by following the method indicated in the instructions, to effectively remove the tick.
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Valneva and the Covid-19
Last April, Valneva announced the development of a vaccine against covid-19. Animal testing will begin during the summer. Clinical trials on humans, before the end of the year.
England has already placed a first order for 60 million to 100 million euros.
The vaccine will be produced by the laboratory in Scotland or Sweden.
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