Valley Fever is the name of a fungal infection that afflicts many mammals: humans, dogs, small animals, even marine mammals. The fungus is widespread in the Sonoran Desert from Mexico through southern Arizona and the central valley of California. Thanks to climate change it is now spreading easterly through New Mexico and west Texas, and westerly to the arid areas of Washington and Oregon. Similar to the percentage of humans, 6-10% of the dogs living in these endemic areas get infected each year. The current treatment method uses the expensive “azole” class of antibiotics to halt fungal growth. This treatment does not kill the fungus itself so it may be costly as well as ineffective. Dr. Frelinger’s talk will focus on the infection in dogs. He will describe exactly how researchers developed a canine vaccine for Valley Fever, beginning at the method conception through the proof of successful experiments. He will focus, not so much on the science, but on the process. How does a candidate vaccine move from an idea towards a product? What are the many steps involved? How many people are required? What does it cost, and who pays? Dr. Frelinger’s information is based on his personal experience in developing the first-in-class anti-fungal vaccine for the protection of dogs from Valley Fever.
Please join us in the Lihue Library Conference Room for this fascinating presentation!

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