University of Southampton trial finds promising results for next-generation whooping cough vaccine aimed at preventing colonisation

University of Southampton trial finds promising results for next-generation whooping cough vaccine aimed at preventing colonisation

(IN BRIEF) A new University of Southampton–led human challenge trial has shown that BPZE1, a nasal spray vaccine for whooping cough, can prevent the bacteria from colonising the nose and throat — a first for any whooping cough vaccine. Conducted in collaboration with University Hospital Southampton and the University of Oxford, and supported by the NIHR, the study found that vaccinated participants carried little or no bacteria after controlled exposure, suggesting reduced transmission and stronger long-term protection. The vaccine was safe, well tolerated, and triggered strong immune responses. With whooping cough cases in England reaching their highest levels in 30 years in 2024, the findings offer a significant step forward in combating the disease. ILiAD Biotechnologies plans Phase 3 trials next year to determine whether BPZE1 could be approved for broader public use.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHAMPTON, 3-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A groundbreaking human challenge study led by the University of Southampton has demonstrated that a new nasal vaccine could provide significantly improved protection against whooping cough by preventing the bacteria from establishing itself in the nose and throat. This marks the first time any whooping cough vaccine has been shown to block bacterial colonisation in humans — a crucial step toward stopping transmission altogether.

The research was carried out through a partnership involving the University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, and the University of Oxford, with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and sponsorship from ILiAD Biotechnologies. The vaccine candidate, known as BPZE1, was evaluated in a clinical trial run at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Professor Robert Read, who led the investigation at the NIHR Southampton BRC, emphasised the significance of the finding. “This is the first time a whooping cough vaccine has been shown to stop the bacteria from colonising the respiratory tract. That could be a major advance in controlling how the disease spreads,” he said.

The trial was based on the world’s first controlled human infection model for whooping cough — an innovation developed at the University of Southampton through the international PERISCOPE consortium. Dr Diane Gbesemete, Principal Investigator at the NIHR Southampton BRC and University Hospital Southampton, noted that despite strong vaccination programmes, whooping cough continues to resurge. “BPZE1 shows real promise in reducing transmission and strengthening protection, even in populations where vaccination rates are high,” she said.

Whooping cough remains a serious and sometimes fatal disease worldwide, particularly threatening infants too young to complete the UK’s standard 8-, 12-, and 16-week immunisation schedule. While existing vaccines protect individuals from severe illness, they do not stop people from carrying or spreading the bacteria — a key factor in ongoing outbreaks.

A recent UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report found that 2024 saw the highest pertussis case numbers in England in 30 years, with 14,879 confirmed cases and 11 infant deaths. The surge is partly attributed to the rebound in disease circulation following COVID-19 social-distancing measures, which temporarily suppressed pertussis transmission.

The CHAMPION-1 trial assessed whether BPZE1 — a weakened form of the bacterium that causes whooping cough — could safely prevent infection. Administered as a single nasal spray, the vaccine was tested in 53 adult volunteers in Southampton and Oxford. Two to four months later, participants were exposed to the whooping cough bacteria in a controlled environment and remained in quarantine for 16 nights, allowing researchers to closely monitor their health and measure immune responses. All participants received antibiotics before discharge to eliminate any residual bacteria.

Results published in The Lancet Microbe show that BPZE1 was safe and well tolerated. Most vaccinated participants had little to no detectable bacteria in their noses after exposure, suggesting they were far less likely to pass the infection to others. The vaccine also generated strong immune responses both in the nasal passages and in the bloodstream, hinting at the potential for durable protection.

UK Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton welcomed the findings, noting the vaccine’s unique mechanism. She highlighted that unlike the current vaccine given during pregnancy — which protects newborns — BPZE1 directly blocks bacterial colonisation, opening a path toward broader, longer-term protection for the whole population.

Professor Marian Knight, Scientific Director for NIHR Infrastructure, said the work reflects the strength of collaboration between industry and UK research institutions. She called the study a meaningful step toward reducing, and potentially eliminating, whooping cough transmission worldwide.

ILiAD Biotechnologies plans to move BPZE1 into Phase 3 trials next year. These larger studies will evaluate the vaccine in more people and could eventually support its approval for widespread clinical use.

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SOURCE: University of Southampton