Potential world-first C. diff vaccine trial expands across UK

A trial of a potential world-first approved C. diff vaccine is expanding across the UK, aiming to recruit more people aged over 65.

Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, is a bacterial infection of the bowel that can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

The vaccine is in the final stage of testing and is being studied as a potential way to protect people at higher risk of infection.

Home healthcare provider Cera has partnered with clinical trial specialist Panthera Biopartners to identify and connect eligible older people with the study.

Cera will use data from people in its care to identify over-65s who may benefit from taking part, including those considered more susceptible to repeat hospital admissions.

Eligible participants who consent will then be connected with Panthera Biopartners’ research teams. Recruitment will operate through a strictly opt-in, privacy-first process.

Dr Ben Maruthappu MBE, founder and CEO of Cera, said: “For decades, healthcare has focused on treating people after they become sick – but this approach is costing lives.

“The future of healthcare is prevention, and partnerships like this are how we’ll get there.

“By combining Panthera’s clinical research expertise with Cera’s AI-powered home healthcare model, we’re helping more older people take part in research from their own homes, generating better evidence and helping shape better treatments, all while easing pressure on the NHS.”

C. diff disproportionately affects older people, with 72 per cent of those with the infection aged 65 and over.

In 2024-25, 18,970 cases were reported to the UK Health Security Agency, while incidence rates in England had risen by 49.8 per cent since 2020.

Almost one in six older people diagnosed with the infection die within 30 days, while up to a third of over-65s who contract C. diff once experience recurring infections.

Patients with recurrent C. diff spend an average of 33 days in hospital, compared with 17 days for those experiencing a first infection.

The infection is estimated to cost the NHS between £140m and £330m a year.

Cera says it delivers 3m home healthcare visits a month and has a dataset spanning more than 400bn data points, which it uses to predict and prevent health risks among vulnerable over-65s.

The partnership is part of its Trials at Home Programme, which connects older adults receiving care with clinical research opportunities.

Dr Mahadev Ramjee, chief medical officer at Panthera Biopartners, said: “To develop medicines that truly meet patients’ needs, those patients need the opportunity to take part in research.

“Cera’s scale, AI-powered home healthcare platform and unparalleled understanding of older people’s health make it a uniquely valuable partner, helping identify and engage the people who will benefit most from participating in this study.

“C. difficile infections can have devastating consequences for older people, often leading to severe illness, prolonged recovery and repeat hospital admissions.

“If successful, this vaccine could be transformational in protecting those most at risk, while reducing the burden of this infection on patients and health systems alike.”