News & Resources

Op-ed co-authored by Dr. Peter Hotez appears in The Atlantic

January 19, 2012

The Atlantic

A Military Cutback We Can't Afford: Fighting Tropical Diseases

By Peter Hotez and James Kazura

Jan 19 2012, 8:06 AM ET

As long as we have a military presence in areas known for infectious diseases, we have to keep researchers working on improved treatments.

In recent months, many politicians and presidential hopefuls have called for budget reductions, and many have specifically targeted military spending for cutbacks. Unfortunately, even programs proven to be cost effective are vulnerable to cuts. Medical research for our troops is no exception to this rule -- programs such as the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) often find themselves low on the priority list despite their crucial role in saving the lives of our troops on the battlefield and here at home.

Candidate for First Human Hookworm Vaccine Enters Phase 1 Clinical Trial in Brazil

January 19, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC-- Jan. 19, 2012--The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) today announced the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial of its Na-GST-1 antigen, a candidate for the first human hookworm vaccine. The trial is a major milestone for the vaccine product development partnership (PDP) headquartered at Sabin.

This trial advances Sabin’s goal to develop a safe, efficacious and low-cost vaccine to reduce the global burden of human hookworm, which infects nearly 600 million people worldwide.