University of Maryland, Maryland, US
https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/

The Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at the University of Maryland is developing a maternal vaccine that prevents Klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis for newborns and infants. The CVD team aims to further develop and evaluate their vaccine in partnership with Auro Vaccines. 

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening response to bloodstream infections that occur in newborns fewer than 28 days old. Due to their immature immune systems, newborns are particularly susceptible to infections. The BARNARDS study estimated that 2.5 million neonates or infants in the first month of life die annually of sepsis, with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income countries. The risk of death from neonatal sepsis increases 7.6% every hour a treatment is delayed. 

The CVD vaccine, which targets the surface sugars of K. pneumoniae, is expected to be given to pregnant women, thereby protecting their babies from this deadly infection. If successful, researchers expect the vaccine will prevent 80-90% of K. pneumoniae neonatal sepsis infections. The CARB-X award supports examining the feasibility of this project to reach a high potential impact for the vulnerable patient population. 

Current Development Stage: Lead Optimization

CARB-X Investment: US$3.96M

Initial CARB-X Investment Date: March 1, 2024