New Afitase Fever Vaccine in Development
- A novel vaccine, developed without the use of infectious materials, is poised too revolutionize the prevention and control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease that...
- Outbreaks of FMD can have devastating economic and social consequences.
- Recent FMD outbreaks in wild animals in Germany and cattle in Israel underscore the ever-present risk and the critical need for effective preventive strategies.
New Vaccine Offers Hope in Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth disease
Table of Contents
A novel vaccine, developed without the use of infectious materials, is poised too revolutionize the prevention and control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease that poses a significant threat to livestock and international trade.
Economic Impact of FMD
Outbreaks of FMD can have devastating economic and social consequences. Annual losses in endemic regions are estimated to range from $8.4 billion to $27.3 billion, according to recent studies. The disease acts as a major impediment to the international marketing of agricultural products.
Recent Outbreaks Highlight the Need for Prevention
Recent FMD outbreaks in wild animals in Germany and cattle in Israel underscore the ever-present risk and the critical need for effective preventive strategies. Current vaccines often rely on infectious material in their production, leading some countries to restrict or prohibit vaccine production within their borders.
Bioinnovo’s Innovative Approach
Bioinnovo, a company focused on animal health, has developed a vaccine that circumvents the need for infectious materials. Andrés Wigdorovitz, director of Incuinta, stated that the new vaccine “can be produced in conventional facilities using the same equipment and technologies as those already used in the manufacture of any vaccine that uses mammalian cells in its production process.”
Wigdorovitz added that it represents ”a safe, effective and outlook solution to position itself as an overcoming option in terms of safety and versatility requirements,” and emphasized that it is “the first vaccine against Afitosa fever in mammalian cells in not using infective material at any stage of the production process.” The project, he noted, began more than a decade ago and was protected by a patent at the end of 2022.
How the vaccine Works
Marianela Dalghi, a Bioinnovo investigator leading the project, explained that the vaccine’s formula, based on recombinant empty capsids (virus-like particles or VLPs), eliminates the need for virus-structural non-structural protein processes. This allows for easy differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA strategy).
Dalghi further emphasized that by not using infectious virus at any stage, “the manufacture of our vaccine is not subject to national and international limitations of handling viral strains.” She also highlighted the potential to “diversify vaccination portfolios, reach new markets, expand antigen banks, enhance the capacity for response to health emergency in the country and expedite the advancement of vaccines against emerging viral strains.”
Path to Commercialization
Bioinnovo has validated the technology at a pre-industrial scale and is currently compiling the necessary documentation for registration. The company is actively seeking an international partner to bring the vaccine to market.
Wigdorovitz noted that this effort is “being carried out in an articulated manner wiht the Nation Foreign Ministry in a very encouraging way, to take technology to the commercial launching stage within 2 to 4 years, and with a product that is innovative, safe and as effective as the best vaccines currently available.”
Jorge Winokur, president of Bioinnovo and Vetanco, stated, “From Bioinnovo and his commercial partner vetanco we continue to invest on Biosegura vaccine platforms to supply the world in the control of outbreaks of exotic variants.”
Winokur added, “We are proud to have a committed team of researchers, innovatives and technicians,” and that this approach is complemented by Biotech platform products for mucosal immunity and the vedevax line of directed vaccines.
The Technology Behind the Vaccine
The recombinant vaccine production relies on growing chobri TM mammal cells in a bioreactor. These cells contain the data to produce VLPs inducibly of the Aphy -fever virus virus.
The VLP production optimization strategy has been patented. The bioreactors used are similar to those used in traditional FMD vaccine production, replicating viral particles in BHK-21 mammal cells. Once the cells reach a critical mass, VLP expression is induced using cumato, a non-toxic and readily available chemical compound.
Following induction, the cells are collected, lysed, and the lysate undergoes purification processes. adjuvants and excipients are added to create the final formulation, which undergoes rigorous quality control testing.
New Vaccine Offers Hope in the Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Your questions Answered
Q: What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), and why is it a concern?
A: Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects livestock, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. The disease spreads rapidly and poses a notable threat to both animal health and international trade. Outbreaks can lead to devastating economic and social consequences.
Q: What are the economic impacts of FMD outbreaks?
A: FMD outbreaks can inflict severe economic damage. According to recent studies, annual losses in areas where the disease is prevalent can range from $8.4 billion to $27.3 billion. Moreover, FMD considerably hinders the international marketing of agricultural products, creating further financial strain.
Q: What are some recent examples demonstrating the need for effective FMD prevention?
A: Recent outbreaks,such as those in wild animals in Germany and cattle in Israel,underscore the ever-present risk posed by FMD. These incidents highlight the critical need for the advancement and implementation of effective preventive and control strategies.
Q: What makes the new vaccine developed by Bioinnovo different from existing FMD vaccines?
A: The innovative aspect of Bioinnovo’s vaccine is its production method. Unlike traditional vaccines, this new vaccine is produced without using infectious materials. This approach perhaps overcomes restrictions that some countries have in place regarding vaccine production, contributing to greater accessibility and control.
Q: Who developed this new FMD vaccine?
A: the vaccine was developed by Bioinnovo, a company specializing in animal health solutions.
Q: What did Andrés Wigdorovitz say about the vaccine?
A: Andrés Wigdorovitz,director of Incuinta,stated the vaccine “can be produced in conventional facilities using the same equipment and technologies as those already used in the manufacture of any vaccine that uses mammalian cells in its production process.” He further described it as “a safe, effective and outlook solution to position itself as an overcoming option in terms of safety and versatility requirements.” Wigdorovitz also emphasized that it’s the “first vaccine against Afitosa fever in mammalian cells in not using infective material at any stage of the production process.”
Q: How does this new vaccine work?
A: The vaccine formula is based on recombinant empty capsids (virus-like particles or VLPs).Marianela Dalghi, a Bioinnovo investigator, explained that this eliminates the need for virus-structural non-structural protein processes, making it easier to distinguish between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA strategy).
Q: Why is avoiding infectious virus material critically important in vaccine production?
A: By avoiding infectious virus at any stage of manufacture, the vaccine is not subject to limitations of managing viral strains. This approach allows for the diversification of vaccination portfolios, reaching new markets, expanding antigen banks, enhancing the capacity for response to health emergencies, and speeding up the advancement of vaccines against emerging viral strains.
Q: How is the vaccine manufactured?
A: the recombinant vaccine production relies on growing chobri TM mammal cells in a bioreactor, using these cells to produce VLPs. The cells, after reaching critical mass, are induced using cumato, a non-toxic compound. After induction, the cells are collected, lysed, and the lysate undergoes purification. Adjuvants and excipients are added to create the final formulation, which undergoes rigorous quality control testing.
Q: What is the current stage of development and commercialization?
A: Bioinnovo has validated the technology at a pre-industrial scale and is currently compiling the necessary documentation for registration. The company is actively seeking an international partner to bring the vaccine to market.
Q: What is the expected timeline for the vaccine’s commercial launch?
A: the goal is to take the technology to the commercial launching stage within 2 to 4 years, according to Andrés Wigdorovitz.
Q: What other developments does Bioinnovo have underway?
A: Bioinnovo, along with its commercial partner Vetanco, is investing in Biosegura vaccine platforms to help control outbreaks of exotic variants. They also have products related to Biotech platforms for mucosal immunity and the vedeavx line of directed vaccines.
Q: Where did the information in this article come from?
A: All information presented in this article is derived directly from the provided source.