Sequoia Sciences has obtained an exclusive license to US Patent 6,500,434 from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri to develop and commercialize intellectual property developed by Professor Scott Hultgren, the Helen L. Stoever Professor of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine. This patent covers vaccines consisting of Escherichia coli adhesin proteins utilized by E. coli for persistence in urinary tract infections (UTI). A vaccine described in this patent has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies involving UTIs in mice and monkeys (Langermann, et al., Science, 1997; 276:607-11 and Langermann, et al., Journal of Infectious Disease, 2000; 181:774-8).

In addition, a vaccine described in this patent elicited a safe and active immune response against E. coli adhesin proteins during Phase I clinical trials demonstrating the potential to successfully treat chronic UTI (United States Patent Application 20030138449). Sequoia and Professor Hultgren are optimizing adjuvants and vaccination protocols for these vaccines to maximize antibody responses. Sequoia's strategic objective is to enter clinical trials in 2009 with a vaccine for the treatment of chronic UTI.

 For more information about Sequoia's research with biofilms, click here.