Group A Streptococcus Vaccine

The project aims to develop a multidose, low-cost, universal vaccine against Group A Streptococcus (GAS). This work will apply an innovative glycoconjugate vaccine development platform with the ability to produce vaccines at low cost. The vaccine will be based on a Group A carbohydrate backbone (Rhamnose polysaccharide, RhaPS), which was previously characterized by the study team and shown to be highly conserved across a wide range of serotypes. This grant funds pre-clinical activities, including the development of several glycoconjugate vaccine candidates and the selection of the most suitable candidate based on efficacy and long-lasting immunogenicity in animal models. GAS results in significant death and morbidity, particularly in low-income settings. Despite this health burden, no vaccine is currently available against this pathogen; therefore, a safe, effective, and affordable GAS vaccine is urgently needed.