Glycovax Pharma is granted a licence by the National Research Council of Canada to develop a vaccine to fight nosocomial disease related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa)infections

Montreal, Canada, August 18, 2025 – Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is a bacterium responsible for nosocomial infections and is often fatal when contracted by people living with cystic fibrosis. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Pa-related infections even though this bacterium is a high-priority target for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) team has identified a target antigen present in the saccharide capsule of several strains of Pa that is immunogenic, safe and showed promising bactericidal activity in early in vivo trials when incorporated into a conjugate vaccine. Glycovax was granted a licence by the NRC to further develop this promising glycan antigen as a semisynthetic glycoconjugate vaccine to combat Pa infections.

Background – The widespread use of antibiotics, since 1950, has been one of the most important therapeutic advances of the 20^th century, increasing life expectancy more than any other medical treatment. However, this approach has led to the development of antibiotic resistance (ABR) by certain micro-organisms, and a reduction in the efficacy of standard treatments. ABR makes infections more difficult to treat and increases the risk of disease spread in hospitals and the general population.

Known to possess high levels of ABR, Pa is responsible for many chronic and progressive respiratory diseases. It is the leading cause of nosocomial pneumonia and respiratory failure in hospitals, especially in cystic fibrosis patients.