Colorado Company Working on <I>E. Coli</I> Vaccination

A Colorado company claims it could have prevented this week's E. coli outbreak linked to the National Western Stock Show.

"It's a very simple process," said Dr. Tony Milici, President of Genethera.

The Wheat Ridge biotech company is developing an E. coli vaccine. The new drug, called E-co Guard, has been proven 99 percent successful in the first phase of testing with rabbits, according to Milici. But it has a long way to go before it hits the market.

The next step — which is about to begin — is clinical testing with cattle.

"It's very important that clinical trials illustrate it can be effective," said Terry Fankhauser, Colorado Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President.

E. coli bacteria occurs naturally in the digestive track. he bacteria in cattle is toxic to humans and can be fatal.

E-co Guard essentially neutralizes the toxicity so the bacteria is harmless to people.

But funding has dried up with the bad economy.

"We've been trying to partner with larger companies," Milici said.

The company estimates a single shot inoculation would cost $20.

Source: CBS 4 Denver