Appili Therapeutics and Colleagues Publish Manuscript Demonstrating Efficacy of ATI-1701 Tularemia Vaccine

Core Viewpoint - Appili Therapeutics has announced a peer-reviewed publication supporting the efficacy of its vaccine candidate ATI-1701 against tularemia, highlighting its robust protection in multiple animal models [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Appili Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on drug development for infectious diseases and medical countermeasures, with a mission to address life-threatening infections [7]. - The company is advancing a diverse range of anti-infectives, including ATI-1701, which is aimed at preventing tularemia, a highly contagious bacterial disease [7]. Vaccine Candidate Details - ATI-1701 is a live attenuated strain of Francisella tularensis, being developed as a first-in-class vaccine for tularemia, which currently has no approved vaccine in major markets [2][5][6]. - The vaccine is considered a top biodefense priority due to the severe illness it can cause and its high infectiousness, being over 1,000 times more infectious than anthrax [6]. Study Findings - The publication details studies showing that ATI-1701 provided 100% survival in rats challenged with aerosolized SCHU S4 up to one year post-vaccination, even at doses exceeding 10,000 times the median lethal dose [8]. - In cynomolgus macaques, the vaccine demonstrated up to 100% protection, reduced disease severity, and improved histopathological outcomes, with robust antibody responses correlating with survival [8]. Development and Partnerships - The study reinforces ATI-1701's potential as a leading candidate for tularemia prevention and supports continued development in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense [4].