Evaxion Biotech has announced the validation of its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered vaccine discovery platform, Eden, marking a groundbreaking milestone in vaccine discovery.

Evaxion is the first organisation to validate an AI model that outcompetes state-of-the-art vaccine development to combat antibiotic resistance.

Infectious diseases are disorders that are caused by organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. The flu, measles, HIV, strep throat and COVID-19 are all examples of infectious diseases.

In 2019, over 13 million people worldwide died from infectious diseases.
The Eden platform rapidly identifies antigens that trigger a robust and highly protective immune response against bacterial infectious diseases.

“Through proteome-wide AI predictions, this tool not only identifies protective proteins but also predicts the protection level each offers,” said founder and chief AI officer, Andreas Holm Mattsson.

Using AI, the technology will identify vaccine candidates faster and more cost-effectively than other current state-of-the-art methods and predict vaccine efficacy in infectious disease models.

The antigens predicted by Eden to offer the highest level of protection have been found to perform best in preclinical infection models, showing significant potential as vaccine components.

Evaxion’s chief executive officer, Christian Kanstrup, commented: “This acceleration in vaccine development not only reduces costs but also minimises risks, particularly impacting areas with high unmet medical needs lacking existing vaccines.”

Most recently, Evaxion presented promising results of its AI-designed vaccine, EVX-B1, against Staphyloccocus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium that causes a variety of clinical diseases.

EVX-B1 showed it was highly effective against Staphylococcus aureus disease in preclinical animal models and also resulted in complete clearance of the disease in multiple organs.

Evaxion recently shared data at the Vaccines Europe conference in Berlin on September 14 to 15, showcasing Eden’s capabilities through multiple bacterial pathogens and preclinical infection models.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Pfizer’s Vydura (rimegepant) as a cost-effective option for the treatment of acute migraines in adults.

The recommendation marks Vydura as the first drug in the oral GPCR receptor antagonist class to be recommended for routine NHS use as treatment for the condition.

Published in NICE’s draft guidance, Vydura is recommended for adults who have previously tried at least two triptant-based therapies that were ineffective, not tolerated, or contraindicated.

It is also recommended after prior use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibruprofen and aspirin, and paracetamol didn’t work well enough.

Triptants are a group of medicines used to treat a migraine or headache.

The recommendation was based on clinical trial evidence, which showed that Vydura is more likely to reduce pain in patients within two hours.

Vydura is estimated to benefit around 13,000 acute migraine patients who are eligible for the treatment.

It is currently estimated that one in seven people in the UK are living with migraine, which can cause severe headaches, vomiting, nausea, disturbed vision, fatigue, and sensitivity to light, sound and smells.

The treatment works by stopping the release of a protein known as calcitonin gene-related peptide, found around the brain, which is responsible for the severe pain that is associated with migraine attacks.

There is currently no further standard treatment for the condition when triptans are ineffective, not tolerated or contraindicated.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “Today’s final draft guidance addresses the high unmet need for treatment options for acute migraine, once again demonstrating our ability to ensure clinically and cost-effective medicines are available to those who need them as quickly as possible.”

NICE has previously recommended treatments, including Vydura, for preventing migraines in adults.

In May, NICE authorised Vydura to prevent episodic migraine attacks, which was the first CGRP therapy recommended for routine use by the NHS as treatment.