Results and milestones

Current research at Hilleman Laboratories is aimed at a major, unmet need for low income countries, such as developing a more thermostable, affordable rotavirus vaccine. Using innovative lyophilization and spray drying technologies, Hilleman Laboratories has made significant progress in developing new formulations of an optimized rotavirus vaccine with highly thermostable profiles that will allow for greater temperature consistency and less reliance on exact storage timing and refrigeration.

Hilleman Laboratories has also advanced partnership efforts to expand novel vaccine candidates for cholera and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) mediated infection, leading causes of diarrheal disease in impoverished settings. Hilleman Laboratories, in collaboration with Gotovax AB, aims to deliver a high impact Oral Cholera vaccine at a significantly more affordable price than the ones currently available in the market. Easy to administer, with cross protection against ETEC diarrhea and enhanced with a longer shelf life, this vaccine candidate will be most suited for geographies with the highest cholera burden like Africa and South Asia.

In addition, Hilleman Laboratories aims to develop new lines of treatment for Shigellosis, one of the leading causes of death and disability in children worldwide, especially in low income countries of Africa and South Asia. Traditionally Shigella infection is treated with antibiotics and currently there is no vaccine to prevent Shigellosis. Hilleman Laboratories, in partnership with NICED, plans to develop vaccines against the infection and establish proof-of-concept in the clinic.

Finally, the Labs are exploring creative, low cost solutions for delivery and packaging, to simplify vaccine administration in the field. To guide development, Hilleman Laboratories continues to obtain external input from the global health community through routine consultation with its Strategic Advisory Group and other stakeholders.