Pacific Gene-Tech

Product Development

Emerging infectious diseases, often of animal-origin, represent a growing global economic and human health problem. This escalation is caused by increasing human and animal populations, especially in developing countries, the close proximity of the enlarged populations, and increased human mobility on a global scale. For example, Asia represents a particular challenge in the containment of influenza viruses and it is a recognized fact that many emerging infectious diseases emanate from Asia and other parts of the developing world. However, the problem is by no means confined to these regions. In the USA, Europe and other developed countries Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli infections arising in animal populations are an increasingly serious threat to the human population.

The first applications of our Isis Technology Platform included vaccine candidates against Campylobacter, Salmonella, avian influenza (AI), and Eimeria in animals.

Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli commonly enter the human food chain via contaminated meat and eggs. In 2008, US CDC’s Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Reports estimated 2.4 million Campylobacter cases making it the most important food-born bacterial cause of gastro-enteritis in the US followed by Salmonella. The 2010 US outbreaks of Salmonella from eggs also serves as a reminder that this problem has not gone away and costs are estimated in the billions of dollars per year. The use of antibiotics in feed and the chemical treatment of chicken carcasses is not sufficient to prevent outbreaks and is unacceptable in countries where chemical residues in foods are perceived to be a problem.

H5N1 AI is a major economic disease and a serious potential human health threat. It is endemic in several Asian countries and is rapidly expanding into Africa, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe. Tens of billions of dollars in economic losses have been reported. Current H5N1 vaccines are not bringing us closer to eradication and they are also expensive and difficult to administer.

There is significant political pressure from international organizations, like the WHO and FAO, and governments of the affected countries to place a high priority on new solutions to these diseases.

PGT’s human vaccine program is initially focused on the above animal pathogens, and their close relatives, which also infect people, and where there are either no vaccines or where vaccination strategies are problematic. We are currently targeting pathogens related to dysentery, seasonal flu, gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.

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