LAV-BASTA-48

LAV-BASTA-48 is a live attenuated, spore-based vaccine candidate developed by Elusys Therapeutics in collaboration with the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Designed for the prophylaxis of multi-drug resistant (MDR) anthrax, the vaccine utilizes a strain of *Bacillus anthracis* with specific genetic attenuations, including the disruption of the htrA gene and mutations in the lef (lethal factor) and cya (adenylate cyclase/edema factor) genes. This single-dose formulation is intended to elicit protective immunity against inhalational anthrax, particularly in scenarios where antibiotic-resistant strains render standard treatments less effective. As of late 2024, the program is in the Pre-IND (preclinical) stage of development.