"From this study, we can conclude that the intranasally administered norovirus vaccine was immunogenic in about two-thirds of subjects," Dr. Estes said at the meeting, which was sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology. "The vaccine protected against illness in both analyses and decreased infection per protocol only. Protection in this vaccine study also correlated with histo-blood group antigen blocking titer 50%. This is the first demonstration that an intranasally-delivered vaccine can prevent human illness due to an enteric pathogen."
She pointed out that several questions about the vaccine remain unanswered, including its duration of protection and whether or not immunogenicity can be improved. "We need to evaluate different routes of administration, schedules, dosages, and adjuvants," she added.
Dr. Estes disclosed that she is a consultant for Ligocyte Pharmaceuticals. She has also received royalties from Denka Seiken Diagnostics of Tokyo.