Alvos Biotecnologia, a company created by Biominas Brasil, had an effective participation in the development of a Brazilian vaccine against schistosomiasis

From Biominas Brazil

Brazil has created and will produce a vaccine against Schistosomiasis, a chronic illness caused by the Schistosoma parasite found in areas that lack basic sanitation. On June, 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) issued the results of clinical safety testing for the vaccine developed by the Experimental Schistosomiasis Laboratory of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz). Based on the antigen Sm14, developed and patented by the IOC, the vaccine puts Brazil at the forefront of knowledge in a field of high technological complexity.

The vaccine is also multipurpose, having already shown efficacy against fasciolosis, another parasitic infection that affects both humans and cattle. Fiocruz expects the new vaccine to be used as a basis for developing others against diseases caused by parasitic worms.

Since the beginning, the research was financially supported by the IOC and the funding mechanisms of scientific research as CNPq and FINEP, among others. Its first phase of technological development was supported by the Program for Technological Development in Health Products (PDTIS / Fiocruz).

In 2005, Alvos licensed from FIOCRUZ both veterinary and human vaccines, and conducted the following stages of technological development with the effective participation of the group of researchers from FIOCRUZ involved in the identification of the molecule. Besides own resources, Alvos raised additional funds from FINEP. In 2010, the company was acquired by Ourofino Agribusiness, who took the final clinical stages of the process and industrial development.