A Varicella-Zoster Virus Mutant that is Markedly Impaired for Latent Infection Available for the Development of Shingles Vaccines and Diagnostics
Description of Invention:
Reactivation of latent Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) infection is the cause of shingles, which is prominent in adults over the age of 60 and individuals who have compromised immune systems, due to HIV infection, cancer treatment and/or transplant. Shingles is a worldwide health concern that affects approximately 600,000 Americans each year. The incidence of shingles is also high in Europe, South America, and India; the latter having an estimated two million individuals affected, yearly. Recent research studies show that VZV vaccines have a significant effect on decreasing the incidence of shingles in elderly.
The current technology describes compositions, cells and methods related to the production and use of a mutant VZV and the development of vaccines against the infectious agent. Latent VZV expresses a limited repertoire of viral genes including the following six open reading frames (ORFs): 4, 21, 29, 62, 63, and 66. The present invention describes an ORF29 mutant VZV that demonstrates a weakened ability to establish latency in animal studies. The current technology provides methods for using the mutant in the development of live vaccines and diagnostic tools. A related invention is described in PCT/US05/021788 (publication number WO2006012092).
Applications:
Development of vaccines and diagnostics for prevention of shingles
Development Status:
Pre-clinical studies have been performed to demonstrate the reduced latency of the ORF29 mutant VZV in animals.
Inventors:
Jeffrey Cohen and Lesley Pesnicak (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-029-2007/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/857,766 filed 09 Nov 2006
PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/084331 filed 09 Nov 2007, which published as WO 2008/079539 on 03 Jul 2008
Licensing Status: Available for licensing and commercial development.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NIAID Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize vaccine strains of VZV vaccine with impaired latency. Please contact Jason Freeman, J.D., at 301/451-5054 or freemanch@mail.nih.gov for more information.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Kevin Chang Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: 301/435-5018
Email: changke@mail.nih.gov
Fax: 301/402-0220
