Monkeypox vaccines and monoclonal antibodies

National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases

Investigators

Abstract

In these studies, we are evaluating a vaccine against Monkeypox that utilizes an mRNA platform, which has a more favorable safety profile and scalability. Manufacturing is also scalable with a short lag time from immunogen design to production making it amenable for rapid deployment of new antigens during outbreaks.Over the last several years, the use of mRNA as vaccines has become a promising candidate that can elicit potent immune responses. mRNA vaccines were used successfully across the globe during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and are being developed to counter other pathogens. The mRNA is encapsulated in the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that have been shown to mediate efficient protein expression by transducing mRNA in vivo. mRNA LNPs are self-adjuvating, are non-infectious, express protein with high efficiency and can be administered at small doses to induce protective immune responses. Protection will be evaluated in mice and nonhuman primates. Protective antibodies will then be isolated from animal subjects for use as therapeutics.