Researchers at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have made progress on a vaccine against group A streptococcus bacterium (Strep A), a major global cause of sore throat, scarlet fever, and invasive infections. They partnered with the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health on the project.
The vaccine shows promise for administration without needles, which could be given in the nose or under the tongue. This approach could make vaccines easier to administer and more accessible globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Fatme Mawas, Head of Conjugate Vaccines at the MHRA, said: “This research highlights the potential of GMMA technology to support a new generation of affordable, needle-free vaccines.” The vaccine uses Generalised Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) to generate strong immune responses.
The GMMA technology targets immunity at mucosal surfaces of the nose and throat, where Strep A establishes infection, while also inducing broader systemic immune response. There is currently no licensed vaccine for Strep A, despite it causing hundreds of millions of infections globally.
According to the research, there are over 600 million Strep A infections worldwide each year, with associated complications responsible for over 500,000 deaths. The findings support the further development of affordable, easily administered mucosal vaccines that could improve access to immunisation worldwide.
The research was published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics this month. The vaccine’s potential to reduce antibiotic use and support efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance is significant, as it could help prevent infections before they occur.
The lack of a licensed vaccine for Strep A has significant consequences. Infections caused by the bacterium can lead to serious complications, including rheumatic heart disease. The development of a vaccine could help reduce the burden of Strep A disease.
The MHRA and the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health will continue to work together to develop the vaccine and make it available to those who need it.
