“MM Research Center Develops World’s First Vaccine Against Asian-African Strains of Zika Fever”

The MM research center has invented a vaccine against Asian-African strains of Zika fever. The world’s first success

Prof. Dr. Naratthapol Charoenphan, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biosciences Mahidol University (mm.) revealed that Zika Fever is one of the infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. had the first epidemic of “Asian Zika fever” in Thailand in 2016, although there is no preventive drug Currently, Zika fever is found in the world. In addition to Asian species, which are often found in countries in Latin America. And countries in Southeast Asia, and also often found in countries in Africa. With over 4 decades of expertise in vaccine invention and development, the Vaccine Research and Development Center Institute of Molecular Biosciences mm. has extended the results until able to invent and developing a Zika vaccine that can protect both Asian species and African species The world’s first successful in vitro

“In terms of further policy May push for a basic vaccine for people to inject protection before pregnancy. As well as injecting in girls aged 10-12 years, which may be divided into 2 injections, the first injection to build immunity and the second injection to stimulate four weeks later, which will be a worthwhile investment in health. Due to the efficacy of the Asian strain Zika vaccine at the Vaccine Research and Development Center and developed this If the first injection at a young age May have immunity to disease for many decades. The Zika virus is transmitted from mother to child. can also be transmitted sexually Therefore, a Zika vaccine is essential for everyone, both men and women,” said Prof. Naratthapol.

Dr. Narong Nithatpattana Medical Technologist (Expert) Vaccine Research and Development Center Research and development team leader The Asian strain of Zika virus vaccine, which has been developed and developed, has been tested in laboratory animals. found to be highly secure Because it is a killed vaccine produced under the principles of the World Health Organization. by introducing the virus to cause death and then through the process of making it safe from unwanted impurities before injecting into experimental animals In the future, there may be many new emerging diseases. Developing a vaccine with the same technology can be used to prevent multiple diseases in a single dose. So it may be a good performance alternative. in which the Zika fever Caused by a virus in the Flavivirus family (Flavivirus), so in the future it may be developed to use many types of viruses in the same needle. That is, in conjunction with protection against diseases caused by viruses of the same family, such as Japanese encephalitis (JE) and West Nile virus (WNV).

“Vaccine production in a factory that meets GMP standards until it is widely used. may have to invest in the initial budget of hundreds of millions of baht First of all, it must be produced in a semi-industrial factory. Then tested phase 1 safety in small groups before expanding to phase 2 in medium groups. when the vaccine was found to be safe It will enter the industrial production process that meets GMP standards and is expected to take no less than 4 years and then enters the third phase of testing in large target groups. If it is found that the vaccine can prevent Zika virus well It is time to inject the vaccine to the general public, ”said Dr. Narong.