GSK And Nabi Pharmaceuticals Developing Anti-Smoking Vaccine

by amyellensoden | November 18, 2009 at 01:50 pm

183 views | 2 Recommendations | 0 comments

An anti-smoking vaccine may soon be available to finally help smokers quit for good. The drug has been developed by GSK (Glaxosmithkline) who will be working with Nabi Pharmaceuticals who will develop the vaccine. The vaccine will act by preventing the nicotine in tobacco from entering the brain, thereby preventing the craving sensation that so many smokers struggle with.

But the vaccine, which is injected, works by creating anti-bodies that bind to nicotine molecules, preventing them from passing the blood into the brain.

The vaccine could find its biggest success in halving the number of smokers who quit and then relapse. Trials have confirmed that it will likely have a very high success rate and will help many smokers quit for good. The vacine offers a stronger method of counteracting the cravings rather than just deferring them.

Jean Stephenne, president of GSK's Biologicals division said: "If approved this... technology could be a novel solution to help the millions of smokers who want to stop smoking and remain abstinent; a habit that is very well documented to be very hard to stop permanently."