The European multidisciplinary consortium MARVAXin which the Higher Council for Scientific Research participates (CSIC) and the Spanish pharmaceutical company CZ Vaccinesof the Group Zendalwill receive from the Horizon Europe program 7.4 million euros over the next four years for research and development of Marburg virus vaccinesa pathogen zoonosic from the same family as the Ebola virus.
Researchers from Spain, France and Germany will generate new vaccine candidates, which will be tested in animal models and brought to the point of entering phase I clinical trials. The Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), in Germany, will coordinate the consortium in which the National Center for Biotechnology of the CSIC participates (CNB-CSIC), he Pasteur Institute (France), and the company CZ Vaccines. The consortium studies will be carried out in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (OMS), this will ensure a rapid response in the event of new Marburg virus outbreaks.
The Marburg virus is one of the most dangerous pathogens for humans, with a mortality that can reach 88% depending on the strain of the virus and the quality of medical care received, according to WHO data. The initial transmission usually comes from animals, since the natural hosts of this virus are mainly fruit bats, and it spreads between humans through direct contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with blood or other body fluids of infected people.
Since the first documented cases in 1967, there have been several outbreaks in eastern, central and southern Africa. In 2021 the virus first appeared in West Africa and this year, in Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. To date, there are no effective antiviral medications or vaccines and the treatments administered only serve to relieve symptoms. Therefore, any epidemic causes a great impact on the affected countries and the risk of further spread of the virus. Hence the need to develop effective antivirals or vaccines.
Transmission electron micrograph showing filamentous Marburg virions
NEW APPROACH IN THE SEARCH FOR BETTER VACCINES
They currently exist two vaccines against the virus from Marburg in phase I clinical trials. However, they are directed against a single antigen of the virus, which could affect their protective effect. To explore new strategies, the consortium will develop new vaccine candidates with two innovative approaches: the use of multiple viral antigens and the use of different viral vectors to transport the vaccine in the body. Both approaches combined are expected to maximize the immunogenicity and protective effect of the candidate vaccines.
MARVAX will join forces of experts in vaccine development and production, virology and immunology to go beyond previous research approaches. The new vaccine candidates will be generated by the CNB-CSIC and the Pasteur Institute and their immunogenicity and efficacy will be evaluated in different animal models by the members of the consortium. The most promising vaccine candidates will be selected and the CZ Vaccines company will develop the production process in conditions GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and will generate clinical batches ready for phase I trials.
César Muñoz-Fontelaproject coordinator and head of the BNITM Viral Immunology research group, highlights the importance of the European Commission’s support for the novel MARVAX approach since “Marburg virus outbreaks are more and more frequent and more and more countries are affected. “For this reason, we must develop effective vaccines to contain outbreaks at an early stage with the help of ring vaccination, as was already done with Ebola, and prevent the death of patients.”
Juan García-Arriaza, researcher at the CNB-CSIC, values his participation in this international collaboration. “Our vaccine development platform will allow us to generate new and promising vaccine candidates against this virus. We hope they are capable of robustly activating the immune system and protect against infection, which will allow us to select the best candidates for future evaluation in clinical trials.”
For its part, Eugenia PuentesR&D director of CZ Vaccines, highlights: “Our commitment is guarantee the generation of clinical batches under GMP conditionsas it represents a fundamental step to advance the clinical development and future production of the vaccine.”
2023-12-14 09:43:00
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