Zika vaccine-blocker candidate being tested in animals

13-Apr-2016 - Last updated on 14-Apr-2016 at 14:18 GMT

Human trials may begin as early as July 2016. (Image: iStock)

Related tags Evolution Genome Nervous system

Replikins’ genomic understanding of the Zika and Flaviviruses has led to the development of a trivalent vaccine for Zika, Dengue, and Japanese Encephalitis.

The company announced its understanding of how the virus gene structures in Zika and closely related Flaviviruses evolves, earlier this week.

According to the company, a trivalent Zika-Dengue-Japanese Encephalitis Replikins Synthetic Blocker-Vaccine™ candidate has been designed and manufactured by Replikins Ltd., and is now being tested.

“A Zika Gene Synthetic Replikins Vaccine-Blocker candidate has been formulated and manufactured, and is now in animal trials. Trials in humans may begin as early as July 2016,” Samuel Bogoch,M.D.,Ph.D., chairman, Replikins Ltd., told Outsourcing-Pharma.com.

The new vaccine candidate is based on findings from Drs. Samuel and Elenore Bogoch of Boston University School of Medicine, the Foundation for Research on the Nervous System, and Replikins Ltd.

Though their research, the doctors found conserved Replikins gene sequences shared by three different Flaviviruses and “a suggestion of transfer” of Replikins over time between the viruses. (Replikins are a group of peptides, which when increased in concentration in a virus is associated with rapid replication).

The company previously reported in January that sequences in the Zika gene were at the highest levels observed since 1947. The company used its genomic disease surveillance software to analyze the concentration and evolution changes in the genomes.

The company will report results from animal testing of the trivalent vaccine candidate as they become available.