Tianjin CanSino Biotechnology Inc. and the Aeras Global TB Global Foundation (Aeras) (CanSino) have reached a collaborative agreement in Beijing office of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Beijing, China on April 11, 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, Aeras will help advance the development of CanSino’s adenovirus vector based TB vaccine candidate, Ad5Ag85A with financial and technical support.  TB continues to be a major threat to global health, causing over 1.5 million deaths worldwide annually.  

Aeras is a non-profit product development organization dedicated to the development of effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccines and biologics to prevent TB across all age groups in an affordable and sustainable manner.

Tianjin CanSino Biotechnologies Inc. is an emerging biotech company dedicated to vaccine research, development and commercialization. The company is based in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, China. CanSino acquired exclusive global right from McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, in August 2011 to further develop and commercialize the adenovirus vector based TB vaccine candidate Ad5Ag85A developed by Prof. Zhou Xing. The vaccine is intended to serve as a booster to BCG vaccination. The product is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial in Canada. 

According to the terms of the agreement, Aeras will provide financial and technical support for CanSino’s non-human primate proof-of-concept study in China in which novel delivery routes will be assessed; and CanSino agrees to put its best effort to bring this vaccine candidate into clinical trials in China. CanSino agrees that it will conduct and manage support of research in a manner that enables subsequent availability and accessibility to the developing countries of the world. Furthermore, Aeras will continue support and help CanSino to explore multiple funding sources for clinical trials. 

Dr. Tom Evans, Aeras’ Chief Scientific Officer, said, “Aeras is dedicated to support the development of effective TB vaccines in an affordable and sustainable manner. We are pleased to see that Tianjin CanSino is moving this exciting new vaccine candidate forward in China. Aeras is willing to continue support CanSino’s efforts in alignment with the progress of this project.” 

Dr. Xuefeng Yu, Chairman and CEO of CanSino, commented that “China is one of the countries with highest TB disease burdens”.  Dr. Yu went on to say that “CanSino is dedicated to the development of high quality vaccines for China and other developing countries at affordable cost. Control of TB is one of the challenges for global public health and CanSino is proud to be engaged in combating this challenge. Aeras has a wealth of knowledge and experience in TB vaccine development and we are happy to establish this partnership with Aeras. We are confident that partnerships like this with Aeras and with others will advance our candidate forward through the clinic.”   

Recent data indicates that one third of global population is infected with TB,. there are approximately 9 million new cases of disease every year, and over 1.5 million deaths due to TB each year. Vaccination is the best approach to control the spread of TB. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only existing vaccine against TB. BCG has been (and continues to be) widely used in many developing countries including China. Unfortunately, it is only partially effective in preventing TB, and while it provides some protection against severe forms of pediatric TB, it has variable efficacy in preventing pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults. Therefore, a new, effective vaccine against TB is an urgently needed if this disease is to be controlled. 

About Tianjin CanSino Biotechnology Inc.
Formed in 2009, CanSino (www.cansinotech.com) is a biotechnology company dedicated to vaccine research, development and commercialization aimed at addressing markets and public health needs for China and other global markets.  Developments at the Company range from existing products such as vaccines for acellular pertussis and related combinations to new vaccine developments aimed at TB and pneumococcal diseases.  CanSino applies its know-how and extensive international experiences to its proprietary manufacturing processes that ensure not only efficiencies and economies of production but also the excellent quality of its products.  The business is committed to growth through international partnerships.  CanSino is located in Tianjin, China.

About Aeras
Aeras (www.aeras.org) is a non-profit product development organization dedicated to the development of effective TB vaccines and biologics to prevent TB across all age groups in an affordable and sustainable manner. Aeras utilizes its broad capabilities and technologies in collaboration with numerous partners and stakeholders to support the development of vaccines and other biopharmaceuticals to address TB and other significant public health needs of underserved populations. Aeras has invented or supported the development of six TB vaccine candidates to date, five of which are currently undergoing Phase I and Phase II clinical testing in Africa, Asia and North America. Aeras receives funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, other private foundations and various governments. Aeras is based in Rockville, Maryland, USA – where it operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing and laboratory facility – and Cape Town, South Africa.