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Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Lassa Fever

Fever, malaise, and gastrointestinal disturbances are common symptoms of Lassa fever which are often nonspecific. Our company as a forerunner company in vaccine and therapeutic development services is working in advancing these vaccine candidates and therapeutics through extensive preclinical studies to hasten their market availability.

Overview of Lassa Fever

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral illness which results in bleeding and is introduced by the Lassa virus (LASV), an endemic to West Africa. It strikes a large number of people every year up to three to five hundred thousand with a mortality rate of close to one percent and surpassing fifteen percent in severe cases. Such a worrying disease is indeed a threat to public health. The LASV virus can be carried in a hosts body such as Mastomys natalensis and then be passed on through contact with infected rats or their fluids including secretions and blood.

Annual statistics on Lassa fever clinical research data. Fig.1 Number of Lassa fever clinical studies published per year. (Mulvey P., et al., 2021)

Vaccine Development for Lassa Fever

Live Attenuated Vaccines

These vaccines employ inactivated viruses to provoke an immune response without causing illness. An example would be the expression of LASV proteins such as a glycoprotein, in recombinant viruses, which incites an immune response. Initial animal trials have shown potential in terms of generating protective immunity.

Subunit Vaccines

The LASV glycoprotein based candidate vaccine has potential as further development as it has demonstrated effectiveness in rodent models. To cite an example, these vaccines use the nucleoprotein or glycoprotein which has vital significance in causing immunogenicity.

DNA Vaccines

These novel Lassa virus (LASV) plasmid DNA immunogens encoding candidate genes having been proposed, however, study proved that DNA vaccines can generate durable immune responses and are stable enough for use in endemic setting.

Therapeutics Development for Lassa Fever

Ribavirin is a highly versatile antiviral that has for a long time been a go to option during treatment of Lassa fever. This is due to its ability to inhibit the enzyme Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, effectively blocking the viral replication process. Accompanying its notoriety, this particular treatment has been subject to excessive controversy as there are numerous opinions on the effectiveness of ribavirin.

Another antiviral drug by the name of Favipiravir has shown incredible potential in the preclinical stages of research. Together with an innovative approach, it seeks to hinder the RNA dependant RNA polymerase of the virus, stopping the process of viral transcription. In regards to animal models, Favipiravir far surpasses ribavirin, bringing it closer to being clinically tested.

Our Services

We offer a range of highly specialized services for the development of Lassa fever vaccines and therapies. Our skillset is extensive encompassing several steps of the development pipeline, such as selection for promising candidate and performing the preclinical testing of the drugs.

Vaccine Development

Therapeutic Development

Disease Models

Natal Mastomys (Mastomys natalensis) Mice
Immune-Competent Laboratory Mice (IFNAR-/- Mice)
Chimeric IFNAR--B6 Mice
STAT1-/- Mice
Guinea Pig-adapted LASV (GPA-LASV) Models

By leveraging our expertise in preclinical research, our company is dedicated to advancing the fight against Lassa fever, ultimately aiming to deliver effective vaccines and therapies to those in need. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Merson, Laura, et al. "Clinical characterization of Lassa fever: A systematic review of clinical reports and research to inform clinical trial design." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15.9 (2021): e0009788.
Hansen, Frederick, et al. "Lassa virus treatment options." Microorganisms 9.4 (2021): 772.
Salami, Kolawole, et al. "A review of Lassa fever vaccine candidates." Current Opinion in Virology 37 (2019): 105-111.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.