Research may help pave the way for new vaccine targeting diarrheal disease

Researchers from the University of Bergen (UiB) and NORCE have licensed a new vaccine technology to the international company Valneva, marking a potential path toward protecting against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). This bacterium is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease worldwide, particularly affecting children in low- and middle-income countries. The agreement facilitates the transition of academic research into industrial development, with a defined pathway for future public procurement.

Did You Know? The research behind this vaccine technology stems from a dedicated ETEC program in Bergen that began in the 1980s, with the specific focus on the human heat-stable toxin (STh) dating back to 2009.

Why ETEC is a Major Public Health Challenge

ETEC remains one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal disease globally, yet there is currently no vaccine that provides broad and effective protection. According to Professor Halvor Sommerfelt of the UiB Faculty of Medicine, the disease carries long-term consequences for the health and development of children in low- and middle-income regions. The difficulty in creating a vaccine lies in the nature of ETEC’s STh-producing strains, which are highly disease-causing and against which children often fail to develop effective natural immunity.

The Path from Lab to Vaccine Development

The technology was developed through an international collaboration including UiB, NORCE, the Institut Pasteur, the Indian Institute of Science, Tulane University, and South Dakota State University. Researcher Pål Puntervoll of NORCE noted that the team focused on addressing the specific challenges of the STh molecule through rational design rather than seeking a single, immediate breakthrough. The commercial rights were managed by VIS (Vestlandets Innovasjonsselskap) to ensure the technology could reach industrial partners.

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Expert Insight: This transition represents a shift in strategy for addressing ETEC. By moving the project to an international vaccine company like Valneva, the research enters a phase where industrial-scale production and clinical testing become the primary objectives. The explicit inclusion of a pathway for public procurement suggests an effort to avoid the common “access gap” that often delays life-saving medical interventions in the regions where they are most needed.

What May Happen Next

Following the licensing agreement, Valneva holds the exclusive rights to advance the technology toward a future vaccine. While the research has transitioned from the laboratory, the timeline for clinical trials or regulatory approval remains subject to the industrial development process. Future efforts will likely focus on scaling the production of the vaccine and establishing the promised pathways for distribution to public health programs in low- and middle-income countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ETEC and why is it dangerous?
ETEC stands for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. It is a bacterium responsible for millions of diarrheal cases annually, which can lead to severe long-term health and development issues in children.

What is the role of the STh toxin in this research?
The human heat-stable toxin (STh) is a key molecule used by ETEC to cause disease. It has been a difficult target for vaccine development, but it is the central focus of the technology developed by the research team.

Who is involved in the development of this vaccine?
The research is a collaboration between the University of Bergen, NORCE, the Institut Pasteur, the Indian Institute of Science, Tulane University, and South Dakota State University, with commercial rights managed by VIS.

Do you believe that focusing on public procurement pathways during the early development stage is the most effective way to ensure global vaccine equity?