Niccine

Niccine is a nicotine vaccine developed by Independent Pharmaceutica AB for the treatment of nicotine dependence and the prevention of smoking relapse. It is a conjugate vaccine consisting of a nicotine hapten linked to a tetanus toxoid carrier protein. The vaccine is designed to stimulate the immune system to produce nicotine-specific antibodies. These antibodies bind to nicotine in the bloodstream, creating a complex that is too large to cross the blood-brain barrier. By sequestering nicotine in the peripheral circulation, the vaccine prevents it from reaching nicotine receptors in the brain, thereby neutralizing its rewarding and addictive effects. In a Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Niccine was found to be well tolerated but failed to demonstrate a significant effect on preventing smoking relapse, potentially due to insufficient antibody titers.

Other names

nicotine-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccinenicotine vaccine