GSK announces results of hepatitis E vaccine study

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the publication of the results of a phase II study investigating the efficacy of a candidate vaccine that aims to protect against hepatitis E.

Presented in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study revealed that the compound is 95.5 per cent effective in protecting against hepatitis E. The vaccine was well tolerated in the study, with adverse effects including moderate headaches and pain at the site of injection.

The company reports that it will now aim to form a partnership with the public sector to continue its development of the vaccine.

Dr Bruce Innis, vice-president of clinical research and development at GSK Biologicals, said: “This research represents a major breakthrough against hepatitis.

“Hepatitis E is among the most common causes of jaundice in the developing world and its large, frequent outbreaks have devastating consequences.”

He added that the results of the trial indicated that international discussions should now be held regarding immunisation strategies for the disease.

Last month, the World Health Organisation awarded prequalifaction status to a rotavirus vaccine from GSK, status that provides an endorsement of its safety, quality and efficacy.

Prequalification status also enables UN agencies to make significant purchases of the vaccine for use in large-scale vaccination programmes.