research on bio-hep b/sci-b vac/hepimmune

Hi there,

Just to let everyone know that there was a recent research article published in a medical journal about Sci-gen's Hep B vaccine. The principal author was Daniel Shouval who has done published numerous research papers on Hep B.

"A Pre-S/S Hepatitis B Vaccine for Rapid Induction of seroconversion and Bypass of Resistance in Non-responders to Conventional Vaccines"
Daniel Shouval Liver Unit, Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

Bio-Hep B/Sci-B Vac/Hepimmune is a mammalian cell derived hepatitis B vaccine expressing the three hepatitis B Virus (HBV) envelope proteins namely the small S, the middle Pre-S2 and the large Pre-S1 antigens for-mulated in alum. In 17 clinical trials conducted in 3025 adults, children and neonates, The vaccine has beenshown to be highly immunogenic with an excellent tolerability and safety record. Seroprotection rates in vaccinees receiving three vaccine doses at 0,1 and 6 months or two doses at 0 and 6 months were significantly higher in recipients of the Pre-S/S vaccine as compared to control derived S vaccine. The enhanced immunogenicity of the mammalian cell derived vaccine as compared to two control, yeast derived vaccines, was manifested in faster sero-protection rates and higher anti-HBs titers in recipients.Furthermore, results of a controlled study in a population of non-responders and low responders to conventional vaccines suggest an enhanced immunogenicity of Bio-Hep B in the non-responders (>30%enhancement) aswell as in obese individuals. In conclusion: Bio-Hep B/Sci-B Vac is a new immunogenic hepatitis B vaccine con-taining Pre-S1, Pre-S2 and S antigens which contributeto an enhanced immunogenicity in all age groups and innon-responders.

He recently made a presentation to Berna Biotech who already has an agreement with Sci-gen to market their vaccine in Europe. It can be found here: http://www.bernabiotech.com/files/presentation_daniel_shouval.pdf

Berna Biotech which is already marketing a yeast derived vaccine (Hepavax), produced by genetic engineering methods, will looking to replace this with the better responding Sci-B vaccine. Its competitors Gen Hevac B, Engerix – B and HB Vax II are all yeast derived vaccines, so it looks like Berna Biotech and Scigen have an amazing opportunity in front of them.