Hawaii Biotech Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase I contract by the U.S. Army’s SBIR program to develop an effective dengue vaccine to protect military personnel against this potentially mission-aborting disease.

Current leading dengue vaccine candidates in clinical trials offer only partial protection and long immunization periods. International travelers and military personnel being deployed to tropical or subtropical regions require more immediate and more complete immunity.

A dengue fever outbreak has plagued Hawaii island with 130 confirmed cases since mid-September. The fever has affected 114 Hawaii island residents and 16 visitors.

“The growing outbreak of dengue fever in Hawaii highlights the need for stronger containment efforts now, and a commitment to preventing additional outbreaks in the future,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “This vaccine has the potential to seriously improve the response to dengue fever both in Hawaii and around the world, and I am pleased that the Army has awarded this important research and development contract to a local Hawaii business.”

In Phase I, Hawaii Biotech will test the prospective vaccine’s effectiveness in mice. If the testing is effective, the Aiea-based company will be eligible to apply for Phase II funding, which would allow the development of the dengue vaccine to continue. A successful Phase II outcome would provide the basis for advancement of the dengue vaccine into clinical trials needed for regulatory approval and commercialization.

“This contract will enable Hawaii Biotech to apply our many years of experience in viral vaccine development and our knowledge of the challenges in developing a dengue vaccine to this important mission,” said Elliot Parks, the company’s CEO.