Gonococcal pilus vaccine development project by Bactex.

Gonococcal pilus vaccine development project by Bactex includes a recently completed clinical trial involving approximately 3500 US army volunteers in Korea. Results of the double-blind, placebo controlled study, conducted during the 1st 8 weeks of 1983, are currently being analyzed. The findings will be confirmed by further testing and if the vaccine proves effective, Bactex plans to apply for a biological license. Bactex was founded in 1974 with the assistance of loans from the Center for Entrepreneurial Development at Carnegie Mellon University. The center at Carnegie, set up and funded by the National Science Foundation, serves to stimulate the transfer of technology from the academic community to industry. Similar centers have been established at MIT and the University of Washington, Bactex President and University of Pittsburgh microbiologist Charles Brinton told "The Blue Sheet" the company is developing additional human vaccines based on pilus technology. He noted that the firm also has a joint agreement with Schering's Animal Health Division for the production of animal vaccines. Under this agreement, Bactex developed a vaccine for neonatal diarrhea in piglets, which Schering began marketing about a month ago. In addition to the study in Korea, Brinton has tested the gonorrhea vaccine in approximately 230 volunteers at the University of Pittsburgh. The Korean trial was partially funded by the US Army Medical Research and Development Command.