Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis, has this week announced study results for a vaccine for the prevention of widespread tropical disease dengue fever.

Presented to the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Philadelphia, the positive trial results have resulted in the company expanding its continuing study programme in Latin America and Asia, with applications to regulatory bodies expected in 2012.

In the study, 100 per cent of adults immunised with the company's tetravalent dengue candidate consequently generated a seroneutralising antibody response against all four serotypes of the virus that cause the condition.

Wayne Pisano, president and chief executive officer of Sanofi Pasteur, said: "Sanofi Pasteur made research for a vaccine against dengue fever one of its top priorities by investing in the most promising technology and dedicating top scientists to this lifesaving project."

He added that the company's goal is to make dengue fever a disease preventable by vaccine as soon as possible, with availability of a vaccine extended to individuals living or travelling to countries where the disease is endemic.

In October 2006, Sanofi Pasteur announced that it had entered into a partnership with the Paediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative in order to produce a vaccine for dengue fever.