Emergent BioSolutions has received a multi-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to advance the development of MVA85A, a candidate vaccine against tuberculosis (TB).

“Through much appreciated and essential grant funding, product development partnerships are making significant steps forward to stop TB,” said Dr. Jacqui Shea, general manager of Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium (OETC).

The vaccine is being developed through a partnership between Aeras and the OETC, a joint venture between Emergent and the University of Oxford, where the vaccine was originally developed and investigated.

MVA85A is now completing a phase IIb clinical trial sponsored by Aeras to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in over 2,700 infants in South Africa. Results from this trial, which has received continued funding from Aeras and the Wellcome Trust, are anticipated in late 2012. MVA85A is also currently being studied in a second phase IIb clinical trial, with primary funding and support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and Aeras, which will enroll approximately 1,400 adults living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“With efficacy data expected in the coming months, we are hopeful that MVA85A will have a significant impact on the global burden of this highly contagious and lethal disease,” said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and COO, Emergent BioSolutions.