A new weapon against serious illness
A tuberculosis vaccine has been created in Russia
A vaccine for this disease was included in the top 10 Russian inventions last year. The drug should significantly reduce mortality among those infected, according to the correspondent of "MIR 24" Alexey Zhidkikh.
The Gamalei Center has created a powerful weapon against mycobacteria – the causative agents of tuberculosis, according to Rospatent. Scientists emphasize that this is not a replacement for the BCG vaccine, released exactly a hundred years ago, but an addition to it.
"Its function is to help prolong the immunological protection that BCG forms in a newborn, and therefore our drug should work in synergy with BCG," explained Artem Tkachuk, head of the laboratory of the Gamaleya Center.
The new vaccine will enhance the effect of BCG, the developers say. In addition, it can be used not only for the prevention of tuberculosis, but also for its treatment. There are no other double-acting drugs against Koch's bacillus in the world today. Also, unlike analogues, the vaccine stimulates the body's immune response to both active and dormant bacteria.
"The fact that tuberculosis is hidden and its detection is a rather complicated procedure will not matter in this case. Latent tuberculosis will also be cured and prevented in the future," said Grigory Ivliev, head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property.
Clinical trials have shown that the new vaccine does not cause side effects. The causative agent of the disease is not included in its composition. Unlike the same BCG, the drug can be tried on for other diseases – it is compatible, for example, with HIV. This is very important, since 40% of HIV-infected people develop tuberculosis. In addition, the vaccine will protect those who have already suffered from this disease.
"It is known that about 10% of such people get sick again and go back to the hospital," said Artem Tkachuk.
Work on the vaccine has been going on for more than 10 years. Mycobacteria grow very slowly, the developers explain, so it takes at least a year to test the effect of the next version of the drug on them. The vaccine has successfully passed two phases of clinical trials, now the final, third one is underway.
"This is six thousand people, it is a proven effect, it is a drug that is ready for use," Grigory Ivliev said.
The Gamalea Center expects that the drug will enter mass production within the next two years.
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