![Prof Warwick Britton](https://thelimbic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Prof-Warwick-Britton-212x300.jpg)
Professor Warwick Britton
Australian researchers have developed a novel synthetic lipopeptide conjugate vaccine delivered via inhalation to the pulmonary mucosa that increased immunogenicity and efficacy against tuberculosis (TB) in a pre-clinical model.
As reported in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the experimental vaccine stimulated a strong Th17-like CD4+ T-lymphocyte response in a mouse model.
Importantly, it was also shown to successfully protect against airborne TB infection when co-administered with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Professor Warwick Britton, Head of the Centenary Institute Tuberculosis Research Program, said there was an urgent need for alternatives to the BCG vaccine, which was only really effective in infants.
“It fails to prevent infection or provide long-term protection in older individuals and it isn’t considered suitable for use in individuals with an impaired immune system,” he said.
Professor Britton said the route of administration of the new vaccine was also a significant step forward.