VacSIM

VacSIM (vaccine self-assembling immune matrix) is a veterinary vaccine delivery platform and bovine vaccine formulation developed by Griffith University and the University of Georgia to target *Schistosoma japonicum*, the causative agent of zoonotic schistosomiasis japonica. Administered as a heterologous prime-boost regimen to bovines (such as cattle and water buffaloes) which act as major reservoir hosts, the vaccine aims to interrupt transmission to humans. The regimen consists of an intramuscular priming dose of a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding *S. japonicum* triose-phosphate isomerase (SjCTPI) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), followed approximately six months later by a booster injection of recombinant SjCTPI protein formulated in the VacSIM self-assembling peptide hydrogel matrix (composed of (RADA)4 synthetic oligopeptides) along with bovine CpG adjuvants. VacSIM was evaluated in a Phase 3 cluster-randomized trial in Northern Samar, Philippines, as part of an integrated control strategy combining bovine vaccination, human praziquantel mass drug administration, and snail control.

Brand names

VacSIM

Other names

SjCTPI vaccineSjTPI vaccineSjCTPI-Hsp70 vaccineSjCTPI-Hsp-70 vaccineSjCTPI-Hsp 70 vaccine