Clinical Trials for Norovirus Vaccine on the Anvil

Two different groups of researchers in the United States are hoping to conduct clinical trials for their vaccines which they believe will provide protection against the highly infectious norovirus.

Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus causes a non fatal stomach illness that lead to violent repeated vomiting and diarrhea. Two groups of researchers, one from the Arizona State University and another at LigoCyte, are hoping to develop liquid nasal sprays to prevent the condition.

The researchers from the Arizona State University have developed a "powder puff" vaccine but are waiting for additional funding to conduct clinical trials. Lead researcher Professor Charles Arntzen revealed that the vaccine could cost around $40 to $50 per dose and will have to be taken repeatedly every six months to two years.

"The technical issues are being solved. Now it's a regulatory issue. If everything went well and if there was enough financial support I could easily see us having a vaccine in four to five years", Professor Arntzen said.

Source: Medindia