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Michael Marine May 2010 Appointed CEO of The Sabin Report | Volume 12 Issue 2 Sabin Institute 2010 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal Awarded to Dr. John D. Clemens

During a ceremony at The George Washington University City View Room, Dr. John D. Clemens, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul, Korea, received the 2010 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal Award for his contributions to reducing suffering and promoting peace Dr. Steven Knapp, The George Washington through the development, University President; Dr. John D. Clemens; evaluation, and distribution of and Dr. Peter Hotez, Sabin President and Michael W. Marine, former The George Washington University . Distinguished Research Professor US Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Dr. Clemens led the first efficacy trial of an oral vaccine against Vietnam, was appointed as cholera, and conducted additional research on a measles vaccine as the new chief executive a research scientist at the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease officer of the Sabin Research, Bangladesh during the 1980s. IVI scientists transferred Vaccine Institute on April the technology for the cholera vaccine to Shantha Biotechics of 28, announced Sabin's Hyderabad, India, and in 2009, Shanchol™ was licensed for Chairman of the Board of development. Trustees, Mort Hyman and President Dr. Peter Hotez. Through his stewardship at the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul, Korea where he has served as Director General since 1999, Marine joined Sabin's Dr. Clemens has engaged in vaccine diplomacy in many areas, leadership team in including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Program, which December 2009 after aims to reduce the disease burden of Hib and Japanese encephalitis serving eight months on in North Korean children by providing technical assistance in the Joint Action Committee laboratory diagnosis and surveillance of these diseases and in the of the Global Network for introduction of vaccines to prevent them. Neglected Tropical Diseases, an advocacy Watch the 2010 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal Award ceremony, view and resource mobilization images from the presentation, and read the press release here. initiative of Sabin.

"I am honored to work with such a talented team and Indonesian Health Minister Visits GWU Labs and excited to build on Sabin's success," Marine said. Discusses Joint NTD Research Initiatives "I've lived in many places where access to basic The White House Office of health resources is Science and Technology Policy considered a privilege and arranged a visit by the Indonesian survival is often a Minister of Health, Dr. Endang question. As CEO, it's my Rahayu Sedyaningsih, to the goal to ensure that Sabin Sabin Vaccine Institute's product contributes to efforts to development partnership (PDP) further accelerate access laboratories at The George to vaccines and treatments Washington University Medical that prevent and cure Center on April 13, 2010. Sabin President Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. infectious and neglected Endang, pictured above, toured the laboratory facilities and tropical diseases for those discussed the future of joint vaccine development initiatives between who need them." Indonesia and the United States.

Read the press release here. Sabin Trustees Commemorate 50th Anniversary of "Sabin Sunday" at University of Cincinnati Sabin Vaccine Institute Receives To commemorate the 50th 4-Star Charity anniversary of "Sabin Sunday," Navigator Rating Major General (Ret.) Philip Russell, Sabin Founding President and current Trustee; and Heloisa Sabin, Sabin Honorary Trustee and widow of the late Dr. Albert B. Sabin, pictured to the right, participated in a ceremony at the University of Cincinnati Medical Campus on April 23, 2010.

Sabin Sunday, first held on April 24, 1960, was a campaign to The Sabin Vaccine vaccinate Cincinnati-area children with the world's first oral live-virus Institute has received its vaccine. The successful campaign led to the oral live-virus polio third consecutive 4-star vaccine's licensure and distribution in the United States, and the rating from Charity eradication of polio from the Americas and most of the world. Dr. Navigator for sound fiscal Sabin developed the vaccine as a faculty member at the University of management. Cincinnati College of Medicine and a member of the research staff at Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation. Only 13% of charities rated by Charity The state of Ohio is currently engaged in a contest that would allow Navigator receive at least the legacy of Dr. Sabin to be commemorated with a statue in the 3 consecutive 4-star National Statutory Hall in the United States Capitol. evaluations, indicating that Sabin "consistently Dr. Sabin is one of ten finalists chosen by the Ohio National Statutory executes its mission in a Collection Study Committee in a "Who Should Stand for Ohio?" fiscally responsible way, competition to choose a replacement for one of Ohio's statues in the and outperforms most National Statuary Hall. other charities in America." Ohio residents have been asked to cast a vote for Ohio's representative at one of 36 polling stations set up around the state or Learn more here. by casting a ballot online. The contest runs until June 12, 2010 and the final selection will be announced in July 2010.

Recent Scientific Read the full press release here. Articles

Since the last issue of the Sabin Executive Vice-President Dr. Ciro de Sabin Report was released, Dr. Hotez Quadros Receives Awards from Rotary released two editorials International, Balmis Vaccine Institute and "The Global Health Crisis and Our Nation's College of Physicians of Almeria Universities" and "Nuclear Weapons and Neglected The Rotary Club of Chicago Diseases: The "Ten- presented Sabin Executive Thousand-to-One Gap" in Vice-President Dr. Ciro de the Public Library of Quadros with the Chesley Perry Science (PLOS). Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service for global Dr. Hotez also released during an "Peace through Vaccine award presentation on February Diplomacy" in the March 25, 2010. issue of Science Michael Diamond of the Rotary Club of magazine, "Escalating the Dr. de Quadros led the team Chicago presents Sabin Executive Vice- responsible for developing a President Dr. Ciro de Quadros with the global fight against Chelsey Perry Award neglected tropical surveillance and response diseases through strategy to eliminate polio from the Americas. Based on the success interventions in the Asia of the polio eradication strategy, the World Health Organization Pacific Region" in (WHO) committed to the global eradication of polio in the 1960s. Advances in Parasitology, and the proceedings from In addition to Dr. de Quadros, notable figures in attendance for the the National Summit on award presentation and lighting ceremony included: Illinois Governor Neglected Infections of Pat Quinn; Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; the Reverend Jesse Poverty in the United Jackson, President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; James States briefing held last fall Galloway, U.S. Assistant Surgeon General; and Ed Futa, General were published in the May Secretary of Rotary International. 2010 edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases. On April 30, Dr. de Quadros received distinguished awards, from the Balmis Vaccine Institute and the College of Physicians of Almería, for The Lancet published the his lifelong dedication and contributions to the eradication of second of a pair of communicable diseases such as polio, measles and smallpox. Dr. de summaries commissioned Quadros was presented with the Distinción Balmis and the Gold by PACE to examine long- Shield during the VII Conference on Vaccine Update, held in Almería, term sequelae and Spain from April 28-30, 2010. These two awards honored Dr. de mortality due to bacterial Quadros' career which has focused on the health and development meningitis and of the world's poorest populations. pneumococcal infections in persons with sickle-cell Learn more about the award from Rotary International here and the disease in Africa. In awards from the Balmis Vaccine Institute and College of Physicians "Increased risk of invasive Almería here. bacterial infections in African people with sickle- cell disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis," GWU Medical Center Students Sweep Inaugural researchers found that Just 50 Cents Campus Challenge Competition African children who contract pneumococcus - a bacterial infection that Students from The George causes pneumonia, Washington University Medical meningitis and sepsis - are Center swept the debut Just 50 36 times as likely to have Cents Campus Challenge sickle-cell disease, a blood competition placing first in the disorder prevalent in individual and group campaigns African children that of the contest. Twenty-one increases the risk for university campaigns raised infectious diseases and over $14,000 in total for early death. neglected tropical disease Campus Challenge participants from the (NTDs) control and elimination University of Illinois at Chicago College of The findings underscore projects in Haiti. Medicine the critical need for use of pneumococcal conjugate A group of students from The George Washington University Medical vaccines (PCVs) among Center raised $3,982.81 through a series of events including bake populations predisposed to sales and "Wormy Grams" for Valentine's Day. The individual sickle-cell disease, most campaign winner, Manuel Claros, a student, raised notably those in sub- $1,256 by starting a Facebook group to promote his campaign and Saharan Africa. collecting loose change. Claros also convinced friends to donate to his campaign by hosting dinners in his home and educating Learn more here. attendees on the burden of NTDs.

The group campaign winners received a matching donation from Upcoming Meetings actress and Global Network Founding Ambassador Alyssa Milano that doubled their impact to $7,785.62. Claros won a four week paid The 9th International internship with the Global Network and will share his experience on Rotavirus Symposium will End the Neglect. be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August Additional top fundraisers in the Global Network for Neglected 2-3, 2010. Conveners Tropical Diseases' grassroots initiative include groups from the including the Sabin London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who raised $2,358, Vaccine Institute, PATH, Harvard University students who raised $2,196 and a campaign at US Centers for Disease California Northstate College of Pharmacy that raised $992.50. Control and Prevention and the World Health To learn more about the inaugural Campus Challenge competition Organization will bring read the press release here. together stakeholders in global health to discuss the latest research surrounding rotavirus gastroenteritis. We will HHVI and Scientific Experts Meet for Clinical also explore early Advisory Meeting experiences with routine use of rotavirus vaccines The Human Hookworm Vaccine and the next steps for Initiative (HHVI) held an expert rotavirus vaccines. advisory meeting on the clinical development of the Na-GST-1 Registration is open; visit hookworm vaccine antigen on www.rotavirus2010.com to March 19, 2010 at The George view the agenda and other Washington University Medical materials. Center.

The year 2010 marks the The meeting was led by the Staff member at Sabin's clinical trial site in 30th anniversary of the director of the HHVI, Dr. Peter Minas Gerais, prepares skin test assay Global Commission for the Hotez, as well as Drs. David Diemert, Director of Clinical Trials, and Certification of Smallpox Jeffrey Bethony, Director of the Clinical Immunology Laboratory. The Eradication officially independent expert review panel consisted of scientists from the reporting the elimination of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins smallpox disease. Sabin is University, PATH, and Crucell. Their areas of expertise included proud to convene along clinical allergy, helminthology, clinical trials, and vaccine with Fundação Oswaldo development. Cruz (FIOCRUZ) and others a symposium to Since the testing of the first hookworm antigen to enter clinical trials, commemorate the 30th Na-ASP-2, resulted in immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions anniversary of smallpox (urticaria, or hives) in previously infected adults living in a hookworm- eradication. The endemic area of Brazil, the HHVI has developed several alternate symposium will be held in hookworm antigens as potential vaccine candidates. One of these, , Brazil from Na-GST-1, has recently been manufactured according to current August 24-27, 2010. good manufacturing practice (cGMP) and an application to begin clinical trials of this product will soon be made to the FDA and the Registration is open; Brazilian regulatory agency. please visit www.smallpox2010.org to However, due to the reactions observed with Na-ASP-2, the HHVI view the agenda and other has developed serological assays to detect IgE to Na-GST-1 and materials. other candidate hookworm vaccine antigens prior to testing these vaccines in humans. These assays have been employed to collect data on the immune responses to hookworm antigens of over one thousand Brazilian children and adults.

The clinical advisory meeting was held to request advice in interpreting the results of these assays and to guide the HHVI in how these assays can be incorporated into future clinical trials of Na-GST- 1 and other antigens. Based on the data presented, the expert panel strongly recommended that clinical trials of Na-GST-1 proceed due to the extremely low probability of there being individuals living in hookworm-endemic areas who have levels of IgE to this antigen that would result in allergic reactions upon vaccination.

Uganda Holds Second Forum On Sustainable Immunization Financing

The second Sabin supported forum on sustainable immunization financing took place in Kampala, Uganda on February 24, 2010. The forum was hosted by the Ugandan Ministry of Health and Sabin Senior Program Officers Diana Kizza and Héléne Mambu-ma- Disu, and Uganda's Director Participants at the second forum on General for Health, Dr. Francis sustainable immunization financing in Runumi, chaired the forum. Kampala, Uganda

Parliamentarians and members from different branches of Uganda's government and private sector including the chairman of the Budget, Finance and National Economic Committee; a representative of the Ugandan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Senior Economist, Fred Mutyama; discussed strategies for implementing sustainable immunization financing in Uganda.

To start, participants examined the history of Uganda's health care system. Dr. Runumi briefed attendees on the challenges of trying to service a rapidly growing population and the shortages in support, materials and staff that usually accompanies unanticipated growth. Budgeting in ratio to new population numbers was also identified as an area of concern and in much need of revision. Mr Mutyama stressed the need for bipartisan efforts to realistically secure sustainable funding for Uganda's public health and immunization programs. After attendees had a chance to hear and review all of the newly introduced data on the current state of Uganda's health programs, participants from the different branches of Ugandan government collectively agreed to instate new guidelines for health financing and members of the private sector expressed their commitment to support the solution of implementing sustainable immunization programs in Uganda.

Following the second parliamentary briefing, the newly introduced budget for the following fiscal year was introduced. Upon its review, parliamentarians who participated in the briefing learned that no funds for health programs had been allocated and immediately rejected the proposed budget, demanding that funds for health programs be introduced. The budget is currently under review.

Outcome of the Drug "Orphanage" Advisory Meeting

The Sabin Vaccine Institute received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to convene an advisory meeting of experts to assess the feasibility and value of establishing a drug "orphanage" for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). While there is evidence that companies in the private sector life sciences industry are taking advantage of benefits associated with orphan status designation, few of the drugs recently added to the orphan status list target tropical infections. The orphanage proposes to address this gap by connecting orphan status with potential priority-review voucher benefits through a focus on drugs specifically targeting NTDs.

The advisory meeting benefited from the expert opinions of Dr. Carl Craft of the Medicines for Malaria Venture, Dr. Ann Ginsberg from the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development, Dr. Melinda Moree from BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), Col. Colin Ohrt from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and Dr. Leonard Sacks from the FDA Critical Path Initiative. Representatives from Sabin, the Gates Foundation, the FDA's Office of Orphan Product Development, and the Centers for Disease Control also attended the meeting, which was held at Sabin on February 5, 2010.

The expert panel recognized that a drug orphanage could potentially promote efforts to increase the development of drugs for NTDs. They also thought organizations such as Sabin and BVGH, with expertise in the science of NTDs and drug development, drug industry practices, and advocacy, would be appropriate for hosting or co- hosting the orphanage. It was also recommended that the current list of potential drugs that might be included in the orphanage be revised to include only the most promising candidates and expanded to include classes of drugs and drugs with existing intellectual property rights attached to them. The expert panel concluded that creating an orphanage has the potential to address only some of the barriers of NTD drug development. Therefore, the expert panel concluded that it is unclear if there are enough promising drugs to populate the orphanage and recommended that additional efforts be taken to assess this before the orphanage is established.

End the Neglect Spotlight

The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases' End the Neglect blog continues to highlight stories from NTD advocates and global health experts alike. Since the last issue of the Sabin Report was released, End the Neglect has featured posts from prominent guest bloggers. Here are some highlights:

 Representative John Boozman (R-AR) wrote about the future of the fight against malaria.

 Dr. William Breiger of John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discussed integrating malaria and NTD treatment programs.

 UN Dispatch and global development blogger Alanna Shaikh gave her thoughts on new names for NTDs.

 Jessica Shortall of TOMS Shoes discussed what TOMS is doing to fight intestinal worms worldwide.

 Kate Mitchell of the Maternal Health Task Force wrote about the strong connection between maternal health and NTDs.

 Global health consultant and GWU lecturer Richard Skolnik drew attention to the risks of acquiring drug resistant TB.

 Liz Borkowski of The Pump Handle linked advances in sanitation with fighting NTDs.

 CBM's Indra Struyven gave readers an update on the ongoing mass drug administration campaign in Burundi.

Landmark Agreement for Pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment Signed

On March 23, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline became the first to sign the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) with the GAVI Alliance (GAVI) for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). The companies pledged to supply a total of 600 million discounted doses of 10- and 13-valent Courtesy of GAVI Alliance PCVs to developing countries over the next decade.

Under this landmark agreement, the companies would supply the first 20 percent of their committed doses at a price of US $7 apiece and the remaining doses for $3.50. The majority of the costs will be covered by the AMC and GAVI, while eligible countries will be expected to pay a $0.15 per dose co-pay.

The agreement, which GAVI estimates could save hundreds of thousands of lives in the next five years, amounts to nothing less than a sea change for vaccine delivery in the world's poorest countries. Both companies have said they would be interested in future AMC deals. Other firms have registered to take part in the AMC, which could help lower the long-term price of the vaccines even further as companies gain access to and compete for the markets covered by the AMC.

As of mid-March, 34 countries have formally expressed interest in obtaining pneumococcal conjugate vaccine through GAVI and 11 have already been approved for GAVI support. With this new deal, they could access these new vaccines as early as this year.

Learn more here.

7th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-7)

In March, more than 1,200 leading experts on pneumococcal disease from around the world met in Tel Aviv, Israel for the 7th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-7).

Chaired by PACE Member Ron Dagan, this year's meeting covered several important fronts, including pneumococcal evolution and serotype replacement, promising advances in the way forward on pneumococcal vaccines, exciting progress on the development of novel vaccines and advocacy opportunities for pneumonia prevention. Organizers and attendees were impressed by the level and quality of discussion that occurred throughout the symposium.

In the spotlight was the important advocacy and awareness platform of World Pneumonia Day with a session titled "World Pneumonia Day 2010: Time for Action." PACE member Lulu Bravo highlighted the central role that grassroots events played in the success of last year's World Pneumonia Day. Orin Levine, PACE co-chair, issued a call to action and participants shared their ideas for World Pneumonia Day activities and signed on to take part in the global effort.

A full report of the symposium's proceedings commissioned by PACE and PATH will be available on the PACE web site shortly.

Tara Hayward Named Sabin Resource Development Officer

Tara Hayward joined the Sabin Vaccine Institute as a resource development officer in April 2010. Her primary responsibility is to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors for the Institute.

From 2008 to 2010, she worked as the Manager of Development for the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). She was responsible for creating and managing the infrastructure and operations of annual giving, foundation and corporate fundraising, special events, donor acknowledgment and database management. At IWMF, Tara also served as the Coordinator of the IWMF's executive and development office.

Prior to joining the IWMF, she worked for the United Nations Population Fund in Bosnia and Herzegovina and served in the Peace Corps in Romania. Tara holds a master's degree in international development with a concentration in international organizations from the University of Denver and a bachelor's degree from DePauw University, where she majored in English writing. She speaks Romanian.

Danielle Mitchell is Sabin Staff Accountant

Danielle Mitchell joined Sabin Vaccine Institute as Staff Accountant in May. In this position, she will support the Institute in all financial matters including Accounts Payable, Payroll, Petty Cash and Cash Receipts.

Danielle has had prior experience in accounting with several nonprofit organizations including, Landmine Survivors Network, American Academy of Optometry, and The Corps Network. Additionally, she has worked for the Department of Defense as an auditor.

Danielle attained her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, with a minor in Business Administration, from Delaware State University. She plans to return to school soon to complete her MBA.

Austin Lee Joins Global Network as Program Coordinator

In May, Austin Lee joined the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases as Program Coordinator after spending the first half of 2010 as a Research Intern for Latin America at the Global Network. He is a recent graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois, where he attained a BA in Spanish and completed a developing world studies program. As a part of his coursework, Austin worked as a public health volunteer in a clinic in rural Patzun, Guatemala for six months and also lived in Spain for a summer. He is now pursuing a Master's in Public Health at The George Washington University Medical Center, with a focus on Global Health.