NanoBio Corporation, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, has signed a preclinical collaboration with a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., focused on the development of a vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The studies will evaluate the combination of Merck’s proprietary RSV antigen with NanoBio’s NanoStat adjuvant technology, for use as an intranasal vaccine. As part of the agreement, Merck has the option to negotiate a non-exclusive license to the NanoStat adjuvant for development of a commercial RSV vaccine.

Earlier preclinical studies conducted by NanoBio have demonstrated that a NanoStat-adjuvanted RSV vaccine induces robust protective immunity, without eliciting the enhanced respiratory disease that has caused other RSV vaccine candidates to fail. “We are very pleased to enter into this collaboration with Merck,” commented James R Baker, Jr., MD, NanoBio’s founder and CEO. “RSV remains a major cause of serious lung infections in children and the elderly. We look forward to working together in an effort to advance RSV vaccine research.”

RSV is a highly contagious viral disease and is one of the most common causes of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It is the number one cause of childhood hospitalization both in the United States and around the world. Nearly all children are infected with the virus at least once by the age of 2-3 years. The disease is particularly dangerous for premature babies, children with other health conditions and the elderly. Many children develop pulmonary disease and/or asthma from RSV that persists throughout adult life making them susceptible to re-infection. Currently, there are no approved vaccines for RSV.

NanoBio Corporation is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing dermatological products, anti-infective treatments and intranasal vaccines derived from its patented NanoStat technology platform.