Medigen Vaccine Biologics Co. (MVC) won the National Innovation Award for developing world’s first EV71 vaccine protecting highly risk 2~6 month old babies.
Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD) is caused by enterovirus, including enterovirus 71 (EV71), which is associated with serious neurological complications. Once affected with EV71, babies under 6 months old have the highest relative case severity and relative case fatality rate among all age groups. Nevertheless, no current product is designed to protect this population.
MVC thus develops vaccine applicable to wider age range, including babies aged 2-6 months old, positioning MVC’s EV71 vaccine the world’s first product to extend immune protection to babies under 6 months old, creating herd immunity to protect older children at home and eventually speed up the eradication of enterovirus 71.
MVC plans to initiate a multi-regional, multi-central pivotal study next year. To further extend vaccine’s immune protection later into life, MVC considers 2+1 booster vaccination and has planned an extension study to access vaccine’s long-term immune protection. Once MVC’s EV71 vaccine launches the market, it will fulfill the unmet need in EV71 prevention and offer more extensive and prolonged protection to children.