Researchers backed by Codevax unzip MRSA and discover route for vaccine

Orthopedic scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, USA, are a step closer to developing a vaccine to prevent life-threatening methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections following bone and joint surgery.

Other MRSA vaccine research has failed to produce a viable option for patients because of the inability to identify an agent that can break through the deadly bacteria's unique armor. Most other research has targeted the surface of the bacteria, but the URMC team discovered an antibody that reaches beyond the microbe's surface and can stop the MRSA bacteria from growing, at least in mice and in cell cultures.

The researchers are seeking anti-Gmd agents with the best properties for binding to Gmd and making the bacteria less viable. This work is being led by scientists at Codevax, a company started by the University of Rochester and private venture capitalists to co-develop and promote unlicensed vaccine technologies for infectious diseases. John Daiss, a scientist at Codevax, is leading the effort to find existing monoclonal antibodies with strong safety profiles - such as those used to develop the cancer drugs Herceptin and Rituxan – so that researcher can move quickly from the bench to initial clinical trials, said Edward Schwarz, professor of orthopedics and associate director of the URMC Center for Musculoskeletal Research.