# Multivalent DNA vaccine-mediated protection against Tuberculosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · WISTAR INSTITUTE · 2020 · $405,607

## Abstract

An effective TB vaccine remains an elusive goal. The success of BCG in preventing disseminated TB suggests 
that it is possible to provide complete protection from pulmonary TB or TB infection through an immunization 
strategy. However, the vaccine-­induced responses elicited by the most recent MVA85A phase II vaccine trial 
were modest and of limited durability compared to BCG. The immune responses induced in a preferred vaccine 
should also be superior to those observed using BCG alone. Currently, there is no such TB vaccine available, 
and few groups have the combination of technologies now proven in the clinic to produce such a platform. This 
innovative program makes major advances in new DNA adaptive EP + gene adjvuant vaccine technology which 
in the clinic generates T cell immunity equivalent or superior to live viral vector vaccines. We will build on our 
recent clinical success by newer genetic adjuvants focused on improved T-­cell and antibody induction. We 
concentrate on increasing the breadth of coverage induced by these designed DNA vaccine by exploring the 
potential of a multivalent DNA vaccine targeting multiple Mtb antigens at both active and latent stages of TB 
infection. Furthermore, we plan to develop this collection of technologies in a simplified vaccine scheme that has 
distinct clinical advantages for global testing. There are three aims that comprise this program to address these 
issues.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9815958
- **Project number:** 5R01AI135723-03
- **Recipient organization:** WISTAR INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID B. WEINER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $405,607
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-11-23 → 2022-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9815958

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9815958, Multivalent DNA vaccine-mediated protection against Tuberculosis (5R01AI135723-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9815958. Licensed CC0.

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