New Ph II SA trial for Intercell/Merck & Co

Austrian vaccines specialist Intercell says that its partner, US drug major Merck & Co, has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of V710, an investigational vaccine for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate in patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. The trial follows the initiation of a separate Phase II trial in December 2007.

The S. aureus vaccine candidate is based on a conserved protein antigen discovered by Intercell and licensed to Merck in 2004 on an exclusive worldwide basis. Merck is responsible for clinical development, manufacturing and marketing. Intercell is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties on future net sales. In Phase I clinical trials the S. aureus candidate vaccine was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated, says the firm.