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Progress In Research Activities Show Invention of Zika Virus Vaccine Is On The Verge
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Recent research and development activities in universities, organizations, and research institutes indicate researchers are on a path of inventing vaccines to fight against Zika virus in the next few years.
The vaccine to fight against Zika virus does not exist yet. However, the recent research and development activities show a significant progress. Various studies regarding the progress have been published and some the studies have gone further to clinical trials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also provided Fast Track designation to some of the trials. Research and development activities are ongoing in universities, organizations, and research institutes for inventing vaccines to fight against Zika virus. The time is near when we will see the first vaccine for protection against the Zika virus. The ongoing studies are taking the global industry to great heights. According to the research firm Allied Market Research, the global zika virus vaccines market is expected to generate $18.69 billion by 2022. Research activities for inventing vaccines for immunization and prevention of the spread of Zika virus infection would play a significant part.
According to the study published by researchers at The Ohio State University, the uniquely designed experimental vaccine for fighting against Zika virus has been proven influential in mice. Researchers have developed and successfully tested the vaccine which implements a two-pronged approach [1] to fight against the virus. The study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, showed that the single-dose vaccine which carried the genes for two or three proteins effectively provided immunity to prevent later infection by Zika virus.
“In this study, the vaccine was potent, safe and highly effective, at least in the short term. There's a long way to go, but we think this is a promising candidate for a human vaccine,” said Jianrong Li, an Ohio State professor of veterinary biosciences and the lead author of the study.
However, the vaccine against the Zika virus is not available yet. The only preventive measures for protection against Zika virus can be taken are the usage of insect repellant or wearing long sleeves and pants while being in outdoors. Researchers at the Ohio State University added a protein, known as NS-1. This protein has been produced by the virus inside a host cell and the protein induced by researchers would develop immune responses to offer protection if the exposure to the virus takes place. It has been successfully tested on mice and there is a long way to go for its implementation for humans.
In another research activity, the Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda has received the Fast Track designation for TAK-426 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). TAK-426 is a Zika vaccine candidate for the Japanese company. This fast-track process will enable frequent interactions with the FDA team and makes the vaccine or drug eligible for a priority review if the criteria are fulfilled.
“As soon as Takeda received funding from Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), we mobilized a team and prioritized development of this vaccine candidate, initiating a Phase 1 trial within 15 months of contract signature,” said Dr. Laurence De Moerlooze, Global Zika Program Lead at Takeda. TAK-426 is undergoing a Phase 1 trial (ZIK-101) under the U.S. Investigational New Drug application. If initial data is supportive regarding ZIK-101, the Japanese company will progress toward the Phase 2 development.
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1,933 Days Ago |
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