Emeryville, CA, March 9, 2000 -- Chiron Corporation (Nasdaq: CHIR) today announced that its research team located in Siena, together with collaborators at The Institute for Genomics Research (TIGR) in Rockville, Maryland, and the University of Oxford, have determined the complete genome sequence for Neisseria meningitidis, the bacterium primarily responsible for meningococcal disease. Chiron also reported that it has used this detailed information on the microorganism's genetic structure to identify novel vaccine candidates against meningococcal B disease. This research, reported in the March 10, 2000 issue of Science, demonstrates the important role genomics can play in the development of commercial products.
"Conventional research approaches to develop effective vaccines against different strains of group B meningococcus have failed," said Rino Rappuoli, Ph.D., co-author of the Science papers and Chiron's vice president of vaccine research. "A genomics-based approach is a completely novel paradigm and allowed the discovery of many vaccine candidates which will be used for developing new methods of protection."
Dr. Rappuoli added, "Through this research we also have a better understanding of the disease process. Using these insights, we are creating a vaccine capable of protecting against the broad diversity of invasive strains of this virulent microorganism. This progress could only have been achieved by the collaboration of three groups, each with unique expertise, in sequencing the genome (TIGR), in the biology and pathogenesis of the bacterium (Oxford), and in vaccine development (Chiron)".
Traditional approaches to vaccine development against meningococcal B disease have proved problematic in eliciting a strong immune response against multiple strains of the disease. Using information gained from sequencing the entire genome, researchers were able to identify new surface proteins. These newly discovered proteins behave differen
'"/>
Contact: Amy Giller
a.giller@noonanrusso.com
415-677-4455 x206
Noonan/Russo Communications
8-Mar-2000
Page: 1 2 Related biology news :1.
Abgenix and Chiron enter Xenomouse Technology Collaboration, targets antibody products for autoimmune
disease and cancer2.
Chiron Discovers Significant Hepatitis C Binding Mechanism; Data Indicates CD81 Protein May Be A Virus Receptor3.
APP reports Abraxane(TM) is active in breast cancer patients who failed taxol or taxotere4.
Scientists question reports of massive ant supercolonies in California and Europe5.
Survey reports fall in stem cell transplants for breast cancer6.
VaxGen reports Phase I clinical trial results of anthrax vaccine candidate7.
Immerge reports PERVs most infectious to human cells not part of germ-line DNA of mini-swine8.
By the year 2050, human population could add 2.6 billion people, reports Rockefeller scientist9.
Measles on the rise as vaccinations fall in the UK, Science study reports10.
WCS biologist George Schaller reports surprising increase in Tibets wildlife11.
Clinical study reports findings of combination therapy with DOXIL