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Researchers are attempting to find a vaccine for "Valley Fever", a devastating respiratory disease that long has plagued the San Joaquin Valley but has drawn little attention from drug makers.
Valley fever or Coccidioidomycosis, is a noncontagious lung disease caused by soil fungus found in the valley and the Southwest, including Arizona. Of those who breathe the spores, 60% don't get sick. But in some cases, the fever induces pneumonia-like symptoms and can even spread outside of the lungs and cause death.
University researchers have been relying on foundations and the state of California, which has funded the research for about $7 million since 1997.
Dr. Richard Hector, Director of the Valley Fever Vaccine Project, a consortium of university researchers and foundations states, "Pharmaceutical companies look for the blockbusters, and valley fever is not even on their radar screen."
State Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, who has led the state funding effort, is seeking an additional $1 million next year, as the search for a vaccine shows promise.
Ashburn states, "Valley fever is a terrible disease, and the doctors and scientists who have been involved with valley fever believe a vaccine is possible."
Researchers came close to finding a vaccine in the early 1980s, with some funding coming from the U.S. Navy. But the side effects, such as swelling, proved too severe.
Valley fever researchers had been using technology made by a small drug company in Seattle called Corixa Corporation. The proprietary technology, known as "MPL adjuvant," appeared to improve the effectiveness of a fever vaccine that was in development. But in 2005, Corixa was acquired by drug giant GlaxoSmithKline, and fever researchers lost access to the technology.
If the vaccine proves effective, it will be tested on mice this summer, the fever project would have to find a way to manufacture it in large quantities and then get federal approval to start human clinical trials.
Ashburn's Senate Bill 147 would place $1 million for the coming fiscal year, to be distributed by the newly formed Department of Public Health.
Ashburn's bill will soon be heard by the California Senate Appropriations Committee.
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