Pfizer Inc. and French biotech company Valneva SE are launching a phase 3 clinical study to test an experimental vaccine against Lyme disease, the companies announced on Aug. 8.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks.
If the trial proves to be successful, Pfizer and Valneva’s experimental vaccine would be the only clinical way to prevent the disease, after the previous vaccine for humans, LYMErix, was discontinued in 2002 due to “insufficient consumer demand,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)….