LimmaTech Vaccinates First Participants in Phase 1 Study of Staphylococcus aureus Vaccine Candidate LBT-SA7

Schlieren (Zurich), February 17, 2025 – LimmaTech Biologics AG, a clinical-stage biotech company developing vaccines for the prevention of life-threatening diseases, announced today that the first participants have been vaccinated in a Phase 1 controlled study of its multivalent vaccine candidate, LBT-SA7. The candidate is designed to prevent skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this context, the company also announced the award of US$6.5 million from the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) to advance the clinical development of LBT-SA7.

S. aureus infections pose a significant global health challenge, causing an estimated 1 million deaths annually. Notably, 90% of all community-acquired S. aureus infections are SSTIs. The absence of a vaccine to prevent S. aureus, coupled with only limited treatment options – particularly against multidrug-resistant strains of the pathogen, often described as methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA) – highlights the urgent need for effective preventive solutions. LimmaTech’s vaccine candidate, LBT-SA7, is the first multivalent vaccine entirely based on secreted antigens to address this critical need. LBT-SA7 contains weakened forms of the pathogen’s toxins, referred to as toxoids, designed to prevent infections by neutralizing the toxins secreted by S. aureus. This approach offers a promising solution to combat the widespread bacterial threat.

LimmaTech started a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06719219) in the U.S. after receiving a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This first-in-human study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of LBT-SA7 against S. aureus. It is a randomized, double-blinded, and controlled dose-escalation study expected to enroll 130 healthy adults aged 18-50 years. Initial results are anticipated in the second half of 2025.

“Developing an S. aureus vaccine has long been a significant scientific challenge,” explained Dr. Patricia Martin-Killias, Chief Operating Officer of LimmaTech. “We believe LBT-SA7 has the potential to provide a much-needed solution for those suffering from S. aureus infections. We are excited to launch the first-in-human clinical trial for LBT-SA7, bringing us closer to addressing an urgent global health challenge.”

“We are grateful for the significant support from CARB-X, which is not only instrumental in accelerating the clinical development of our S. aureus vaccine candidate LBT-SA7 but also underscores the importance of our mission to develop efficient solutions for preventing microbial infections and protecting from their threatening consequences for affected people,” added Dr. Franz-Werner Haas, Chief Executive Officer of LimmaTech.