Blue Water Vaccines Announces Exclusive, Global License Agreement for Chlamydia Vaccine Candidate Development from The University of Texas Health San Antonio
November 21 2022 - 8:00AM
Blue Water Vaccines Inc. (“BWV” or “Blue Water Vaccines” or “the
Company”) a biopharmaceutical company developing transformational
vaccines to address significant global health challenges, today
announced the signing of an exclusive, global license agreement for
the development of a live attenuated, oral Chlamydia vaccine
candidate from The University of Texas Health San Antonio (“UT
Health San Antonio”).
“With millions of new and existing infections each year and no
preventative treatment available, there remains a large unmet need
for an efficacious Chlamydia vaccine both here in the U.S. and on a
global scale,” said Joseph Hernandez, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Blue Water Vaccines. “We are thrilled to enter into this
partnership with UT Health San Antonio and to pursue development of
this groundbreaking vaccine candidate.”
Developed in the laboratory of Guangming Zhong, Ph.D., at UT
Health San Antonio, the novel vaccine candidate utilizes a live
attenuated Chlamydia strain, Chlamydia muridarum (“C. muridarum”).
After oral delivery of the vaccine, C. muridarum was able to
colonize in the gastrointestinal tract of mice and induce
transmucosal protection against genital tract Chlamydia infection,
without altering the gut microbiota or the development of gut
mucosal resident memory T cell responses to a non-chlamydial
infection. In addition, the vaccine was shown to be nonpathogenic
in mice, indicating the potential to develop the live attenuated C.
muridarum vaccine into a protective, human Chlamydia vaccine.
“Chlamydia vaccines have historically been challenging to
produce, but our novel approach has demonstrated strong results in
mouse models, which we believe will translate into a human vaccine
candidate,” said Dr. Zhong of UT Health San Antonio. “We look
forward to this new partnership with Blue Water Vaccines and to the
development of this vaccine to benefit patients worldwide.”
According to the CDC, Chlamydia is the most frequently reported
bacterial STI in the United States, with about 1.6 million new
cases reported in 2020 alone. Globally, the WHO estimates about 129
million new cases of chlamydia each year and may be and
underrepresentation given many cases are asymptomatic and low
availability of diagnostic testing in low- and middle-income
countries. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent
chlamydia infection, and the main treatment is through antibiotic
regimens with the possibility of reinfection after antibiotics have
treated the disease. If undetected or left untreated, Chlamydia
represents a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease and
infertility in women.
About Blue Water Vaccines
Blue Water Vaccines Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused
on developing transformational vaccines to address significant
health challenges globally. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, the
company holds the rights to proprietary technology developed at the
University of Oxford, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical
Center, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and The University of Texas
Health San Antonio. The Company is developing a universal flu
vaccine that will provide protection from all virulent strains in
addition to licensing a novel norovirus (NoV) S&P nanoparticle
versatile virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine platform from
Cincinnati Children’s to develop vaccines for multiple infectious
diseases, including norovirus/rotavirus and malaria, among others.
Additionally, Blue Water Vaccines is developing a Streptococcus
pneumoniae (pneumococcus) vaccine candidate, designed to
specifically prevent the highly infectious middle ear infections,
known as Acute Otitis Media (AOM), in children. The Company is also
developing a Chlamydia vaccine candidate with UT Health San Antonio
to prevent infection and reduce the need for antibiotic treatment
associated with contracting Chlamydia disease. For more
information, visit www.bluewatervaccines.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,”
“estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among others. These
forward-looking statements are based on BWV’s current expectations
and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of
factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, risks related to the development
of BWV’s vaccine candidates; the failure to obtain FDA clearances
or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations; delays and
uncertainties caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic; risks related
to the timing and progress of clinical development of our product
candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of
patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or
third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development
efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial
competition. As with any vaccine under development, there are
significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and
commercialization of new products. BWV does not undertake an
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Investors should read the risk factors set forth in BWV’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 29, 2022 and periodic
reports filed with the SEC on or after the date thereof. All of
BWV’s forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all
such risk factors and other cautionary statements. The information
set forth herein speaks only as of the date thereof.
Media Contact Information:Blue Water Media
RelationsTelephone: (646) 942-5591 Email:
Nic.Johnson@russopartnersllc.com
Investor Contact Information:Blue Water Investor RelationsEmail:
investors@bluewatervaccines.com
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