Sanofi Pasteur begins C. difficile vaccine trial

Sanofi Pasteur has commenced a new study assessing the potential efficacy of its new vaccine for C. difficile infections.

The Cdiffense programme will evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of its investigational vaccine and has just started recruiting volunteers, with up to 15,000 adults at 200 sites across 17 countries to be involved.

C. difficile is a life-threatening spore-forming bacterium that causes intestinal disease and has emerged as a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide.

The diseases caused by its toxins lead to death in approximately eight to 15 percent of infected people worldwide, with the bacteria becoming an increasingly prominent threat in recent years due to the emergence of difficult-to-treat strains.

Dr John Shiver, senior vice-president for research and development at Sanofi Pasteur, said: "Vaccination could be an efficacious, cost-effective and important public health measure to protect individuals from C. difficile."

Last month, it was announced that Sanofi Pasteur's six-in-one paediatric vaccine Hexyon has been used in Europe for the first time, following its approval in April.