Saint-Herblain (France) and New York, NY, July 19, 2021 – Valneva SE (Nasdaq: VALN; Euronext Paris: VLA), a specialty vaccine company focused on the development and commercialization of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical need, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), today announced that they have completed recruitment for the Phase 2 trial, VLA15-221, of Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15. The trial builds on previous positive Phase 2 trials and includes both adult and pediatric participants with the aim to support acceleration of the vaccine candidate’s pediatric program.
A total of 625 participants, 5 to 65 years of age, have been randomized in the Phase 2 trial to receive VLA15 at Month 0-2-6 or Month 0-6 (200 volunteers each) or placebo at Month 0-2-6 (200 volunteers). The main safety and immunogenicity readout will be performed approximately one month after completion of the primary vaccination schedule (i.e. at Month 7). The objective of the trial is to show safety and immunogenicity down to 5 years of age and to evaluate the optimal vaccination schedule for use in Phase 3.
Juan Carlos Jaramillo M.D., Chief Medical Officer von Valneva, sagte, “This recruitment completion represents another important milestone in the development of VLA15. If successful, this trial could enable the inclusion of a pediatric population in the Phase 3 trial. Lyme disease continues to be a major concern and is prevalent in children[1], it is therefore extremely important for us to potentially offer a vaccine that could protect both adults and children as rapidly as we can. We’d like to thank everyone involved in the trials for their contributions to keep the development moving forward and on track.”
“Given the medical importance of Lyme disease, its possible long term impact, and the known mechanism of vaccine protection, the development of a multivalent vaccine for prevention of 6 serotypes of Borrelia has the potential to address a great unmet need,” said Kathrin Jansen, PhD, Senior Vice President and Head of Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development. “We are pleased that the Phase 2 trial has reached full recruitment and look forward to what we hope will be a successful conclusion of the study.”
Valneva und Pfizer schlossen im April 2020 eine Kooperationsvereinbarung zur gemeinsamen Entwicklung von VLA15 [2]. Positive top-line results have already been reported for two Phase 2 clinical trials of VLA15 in over 800 healthy adults. Topline results for VLA15-221 are expected in the first half of 2022.
Über VLA15
VLA15 is the only active Lyme disease vaccine candidate in clinical development today, and covers six serotypes that are prevalent in North America and Europe. This investigational multivalent protein subunit vaccine uses an established mechanism of action for a Lyme disease vaccine that targets the outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia burgdorferi , the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. OspA is one of the most dominant surface proteins expressed by the bacteria when present in a tick. VLA15 has demonstrated strong immunogenicity and safety data in pre-clinical and clinical studies so far. The program was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2017[3].
Valneva and Pfizer announced a collaboration for VLA15’s development and commercialization at the end of April 2020. The two companies are working closely together on the next development steps.
Über die klinische Studie VLA15-221
VLA15-221 is a randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study. It is the first clinical study with VLA15 that enrolls a pediatric population aged 5 years and older.
A total of 625 participants will receive VLA15 at two different immunization schedules (Month 0-2-6 or Month 0-6, 200 volunteers each) or placebo (Month 0-2-6, 200 volunteers). Vaccinees receive VLA15 at a dose of 180µg, which was selected based on data generated in the two previous Phase 2 studies. The main safety and immunogenicity readout (Primary Endpoint analysis) will be performed at Month 7, when peak antibody titers are anticipated. A subset of participants will receive a booster dose of VLA15 or placebo at Month 18 (Booster Phase) and will be followed for three additional years to monitor antibody persistence.
VLA15 is tested as an alum-adjuvanted formulation and administered intramuscularly. The study is conducted at sites which are located in areas where Lyme disease is endemic and has enrolled volunteers with a cleared past infection with Borrelia burgdorferi als auch Borrelia burgdorferi -naive Freiwillige aufgenommen.
Über Lyme Borreliose
Die Lyme-Borreliose ist eine systemische Infektion, die durch das Bakterium Borrelien burgdorferi verursacht wird und durch infizierte Ixodes -Zecken auf den Menschen übertragen wird[4]. It is considered the most common vector- borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year[5], and there are at least a further 200,000 cases in Europe annually[6]. betroffen sind. Frühe Symptome der Lyme-Borreliose (wie ein sich allmählich ausbreitender erythematöser Ausschlag, Erythema migrans or more unspecific symptoms like fatigue, fever, headache, mild stiff neck, arthralgia or myalgia) are often overlooked or misinterpreted. Left untreated, the disease can disseminate and cause more serious complications affecting the joints (arthritis), the heart (carditis) or the nervous system. The medical need for vaccination against Lyme disease is steadily increasing as the disease footprint widens[7].
Über Valneva SE
Valneva is a specialty vaccine company focused on the development and commercialization of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical need. We take a highly specialized and targeted approach to vaccine development, beginning with the identification of deadly and debilitating infectious diseases that lack a prophylactic vaccine solution and for which there are limited therapeutic treatment options. We then apply our deep understanding of vaccine science, including our expertise across multiple vaccine modalities, as well as our established vaccine development capabilities, to develop prophylactic vaccines to address these diseases. We have leveraged our expertise and capabilities both to successfully commercialize two vaccines and to rapidly advance a broad range of vaccine candidates into and through the clinic, including candidates against Lyme disease, the chikungunya virus and COVID-19.
Über Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
Bei Pfizer setzen wir die Wissenschaft und unsere globalen Ressourcen ein, um den Menschen Therapien anzubieten, die ihr Leben verlängern und deutlich verbessern. Wir wollen den Standard für Qualität, Sicherheit und Nutzen bei der Entwicklung und Herstellung innovativer Medikamente und Impfstoffe setzen. Jeden Tag arbeiten Pfizer-Mitarbeiter weltweit daran das Wohlbefinden, die Prävention, Behandlungen und Heilung von schwerwiegenden Erkrankungen voranzutreiben. Als eines der weltweit führenden innovativen biopharmazeutischen Unternehmen sehen wir es als unsere Verantwortung, mit Gesundheitsversorgern, Regierungen und lokalen Gemeinschaften zusammenzuarbeiten, um den Zugang zur Gesundheitsversorgung auf der ganzen Welt zu unterstützen. Seit mehr als 170 Jahren arbeiten wir daran, etwas zu bewirken. Wir veröffentlichen regelmäßig Informationen auf unserer Website unter www.Pfizer.comdie für Investoren wichtig sein könnten. Mehr Informationen über Pfizer finden Sie unter www.Pfizer.com auf Twitter unter @Pfizer und @Pfizer News: LinkedIn: YouTube und auf Facebook unter Facebook.com/Pfizer.
Pfizer Contacts
Media Contact: Jerica Pitts
+1 (347) 224-9084
Investor Contact: Bryan Dunn
+1 (212) 733-8917
| Valneva Contacts
Laëtitia Bachelot-Fontaine VP Global Communications & European Investor Relations M +33 (0)6 4516 7099 laetitia.bachelot-fontaine@valneva.com |
Teresa Pinzolits Senior Communications Specialist M +1 917 815 4520 communications@valneva.com |
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Valneva Forward-Looking Statements
Diese Pressemitteilung enthält bestimmte zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen in Bezug auf die Geschäftstätigkeit von Valneva, einschließlich des Fortschritts, des Zeitplans, der Ergebnisse und des Abschlusses der Forschung, der Entwicklung und der klinischen Studien für Produktkandidaten sowie der Schätzungen für die zukünftige Leistung. Selbst wenn die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse oder Entwicklungen von Valneva mit den in dieser Pressemitteilung enthaltenen zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen übereinstimmen, kann es sein, dass diese Ergebnisse oder Entwicklungen von Valneva in der Zukunft nicht aufrechterhalten werden. In einigen Fällen können Sie zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen an Worten wie “könnte,” “sollte,” “könnte” “erwartet,” “antizipiert,” “glaubt,” “beabsichtigt,” “schätzt,” “strebt an,” “zielt darauf ab,” oder ähnlichen Worten erkennen. Diese zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen beruhen weitgehend auf den aktuellen Erwartungen von Valneva zum Zeitpunkt dieser Pressemitteilung und unterliegen einer Reihe von bekannten und unbekannten Risiken und Unsicherheiten sowie anderen Faktoren, die dazu führen können, dass die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse, Leistungen oder Erfolge erheblich von den in diesen zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen ausgedrückten oder implizierten Ergebnissen, Leistungen oder Erfolgen abweichen. Insbesondere könnten die Erwartungen von Valneva unter anderem durch Unwägbarkeiten bei der Entwicklung und Herstellung von Impfstoffen, unerwartete Ergebnisse klinischer Studien, unerwartete behördliche Maßnahmen oder Verzögerungen, den Wettbewerb im Allgemeinen, Währungsschwankungen, die Auswirkungen der globalen und europäischen Kreditkrise und die Fähigkeit, Patente oder anderen Schutz geistigen Eigentums zu erlangen oder aufrechtzuerhalten, beeinflusst werden. Der Erfolg in präklinischen Studien oder früheren klinischen Versuchen ist möglicherweise kein Indikator für die Ergebnisse zukünftiger klinischer Versuche. In Anbetracht dieser Risiken und Ungewissheiten kann nicht garantiert werden, dass die in dieser Präsentation gemachten zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen auch tatsächlich eintreten werden. Valneva stellt die Informationen in diesen Unterlagen zum Zeitpunkt dieser Pressemitteilung zur Verfügung und lehnt jede Absicht oder Verpflichtung ab, zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen öffentlich zu aktualisieren oder zu revidieren, sei es aufgrund neuer Informationen, zukünftiger Ereignisse oder aus anderen Gründen.
Pfizer Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained in this release is as of March 8, 2021. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about a Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15, and a collaboration between Pfizer and Valneva for VLA15, including their potential benefits and a potential phase 3 start, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from our clinical studies; whether and when drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for VLA15; whether and when any such applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product’s benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product’s efficacy and, if approved, whether VLA15 will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of VLA15; the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizer’s business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov und www.pfizer.com.
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[1] CDC: Lyme disease, reported cases by age group, United States, 2019
[2] Valneva and Pfizer Announce Collaboration to Co-Develop and Commercialize Lyme Disease Vaccine, VLA15
[3] Valneva Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for its Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15
[4] Stanek et al. 2012, The Lancet 379:461–473
[5] Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/humancases.html
[6] Estimated from available national data. Number largely underestimated based on WHO Europe Lyme Report as case reporting is highly inconsistent in Europe and many LB infections go undiagnosed; ECDC tick-borne-diseases-meeting-report
[7] New Scientist, Lyme disease is set to explode and we still don’t have a vaccine; March 29, 2017
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23431195-800-lyme-disease-is-set-to-explode-and-you-cant-protect-yourself/