Vaccines for Chlamydia

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Background Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and other sequelae in women who are infected. Ct is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015, 1,526,658 cases of chlamydia were reported from 50 states and the District of Columbia, but an estimated 2.86 million infections occur annually. A large number of cases are not reported because most people with chlamydia are asymptomatic and do not seek testing. In addition to the serious consequences of sexual transmission, Ct is also a cause of trachoma, the leading cause of infectious blindness. Current Ct vaccine efforts have primarily focused on targeting the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) and developing vaccines that can elicit appropriate T-cell responses; however, high titer antibodies to the right epitopes elicited by a vaccine has to potential to provide a better approach to Ct vaccine efforts.   Technology Description Researchers at the University of New Mexico have developed a novel bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine platform for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis. VLPs are excellent vaccine platforms capable of eliciting high titer, long-lasting antibody responses to the virus.   Advantages/Applications Novel approach using VLPs as a platform to generate high titer antibodies that would block Chlamydia trachomatis infection Can be used in rational and empirical design vaccine strategies Applications in treatment and prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis   Inquires STC has filed intellectual property on this exciting new technology and is currently exploring commercialization options. If you are interested in information about this or other technologies, please contact Arlene Mirabal at [email protected] or 505-272-7886.