First nasal vaccine in development for deadly Strep A

Editor's Note

A new nasal vaccine in development by Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics in Australia could provide long-term protection against the deadly bacteria Streptococcus A (Strep A), Griffith University's Griffith News October 5 reports.

Strep A causes 700 million human infections each year, and there are more than 500,000 resulting deaths globally. There is currently no vaccine for Strep A.

Studies have shown most pathogens enter via the soft tissue in the upper respiratory tract, which gives them access to the rest of the body. The new nasal Strep A vaccine in development is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in Canada and quickly advancing to Phase 2 efficacy trials with patients.

Researchers involved in a related preclinical study, published in Nature Communications in September 2023, say the new vaccine platform could pave the way for vaccines against other mucosal pathogens.