Avant starts Phase I study

Avant Immunotherapeutics Inc. of Needham announced today the start of a Phase I study of a potential vaccine for E. coli and cholera.

Avant said the study will be funded by a division of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Heath.

The Phase I study will focus on Avant's investigational single-dose oral vaccine designed to offer combined protection against both enterotoxigenic Escherichichia coli and cholera, the company said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)