Live Attenuated Vaccine to Prevent Disease Caused by West Nile Virus
Description of Invention:
WNV has recently emerged in the U.S. and is considered a significant emerging disease that has embedded itself over a considerable region of the U.S. WNV infections have been recorded in humans as well as in different animals. To date, WNV has killed 294 people in the U.S. and caused severe disease in more than 4222 others. This project is part of NIAID’s comprehensive emerging infectious disease program, which supports research on bacterial, viral, and other types of disease-causing microbes.
The methods and compositions of this invention provide a means for prevention of WNV infection by immunization with attenuated, immunogenic viral vaccines against WNV. The invention involves a chimeric virus form consisting of parts of WNV and Dengue virus. Construction of the hybrids and their properties are described in detail in AG Pletnev et al., PNAS 2002;99(5):3036-3041.
The WNV chimeric vaccine does not target the central nervous system, which would be the case in an infection with wild type WNV. The vaccine stimulates strong anti-WNV immune responses, even following a single dose of the vaccine. When injected into mice, the vaccine protected all of the immunized animals from subsequent exposure to the New York WNV strain. The vaccine was also effective in primates. Researchers intend to begin human trials in late 2003.
The WNV vaccine may be used to protect the human population, particularly the elderly people, and domestic animals from WNV infection in the affected regions of the U.S. as well as worldwide.
Inventors:
Alexander G. Pletnev et al. (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-357-2001/1 --
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/871,775 filed 18 Jun 2004, claiming priority to 10 Jan 2002
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing for developing a vaccine against WNV for humans or veterinary use in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 and 37 CFR Part 404.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, and commercialize this technology. Please contact Percy Pan at 301-451-3523 or panp@niaid.nih.gov for more information.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Peter A. Soukas J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4646
Email: soukasp@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
