ProVax

ProVax is a name associated with several distinct pharmaceutical and biotechnological entities. Most commonly, it is a brand name for a **polyvalent bacterial lysate** (PBL) marketed in several European countries (such as Portugal and Italy) for the prophylaxis of recurrent respiratory tract infections. This formulation contains standardized lysates from multiple pathogens, including *Streptococcus pneumoniae*, *Haemophilus influenzae*, *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Streptococcus pyogenes*. It works as an oral immunostimulating agent by activating mucosal and systemic immune responses through the stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). In the European Union, ProVax and similar bacterial lysate medicines have been subject to regulatory reviews by the EMA, which restricted their use to the prevention of recurrent infections (excluding pneumonia) due to limited evidence for treating acute infections. Historically, the name **PROVAX** also refers to an experimental squalane-based oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant developed by **IDEC Pharmaceuticals** (now part of Biogen) to enhance cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in cancer vaccines. Additionally, **ProVax** was the name of a prophylactic HIV vaccine candidate developed by **Progenics Pharmaceuticals** that reached Phase II clinical trials in the mid-2000s. A multivitamin product by Vivax Pharmaceuticals also carries the name Provax.

Brand names

ProvaxIsmigenPaspatImmubronBroncho-VaxomPulmigenRespibron

Other names

polyvalent bacterial lysatebacterial lysatepolyvalent mechanical bacterial lysatePMBLPROVAX adjuvantIDEC PROVAX