Bioterror threat a focus of UMD vaccine research contract.(Brief Article)

2002 SEP 18 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) has been awarded a $22 million federal research contract to develop and test a wide range of new vaccines to protect public health in the United States and around the world.

Under the 5-year contract, one of the largest in the School of Medicine's history, the CVD will evaluate vaccines against respiratory infections such as strep throat, diarrheal infections, meningitis, and malaria. The contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) will also support the testing of new vaccines against possible bioterror agents such as anthrax and smallpox. The University of Maryland is among a select group of seven Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VETU) to be awarded new contracts by the NIAID.

A new anthrax vaccine expected to be tested by the VETU network uses genetic engineering techniques to create protective antigens. "The result is a pure protein that we believe is safer than the old vaccine," said James D. Campbell, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics and CVD investigator. Because the antigens are produced genetically, there is no contact with the anthrax toxin. If effective, the new vaccine could provide protection with fewer doses and fewer side effects, simplify production, and ease concerns about the current supply.

"It is gratifying that our expertise is being utilized to the greatest degree possible, especially at such a difficult time in our country's history," said Myron Levine, MD, DTPH, director of the CVD, and the principal investigator for the new initiative. "The CVD is the only university vaccine center ...