Monkeypox, now termed Mpox, is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, an orthopoxvirus that is closely related to the variola virus that causes smallpox and has been eradicated. In response to the need for effective measures to curb this infectious disease, we provide an array of bespoke services that enable the development of monkeys’ vaccine and therapeutic solutions.
Introduction to Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a lesion causing, serious viral infection caused by the Monkeypox virus which is part of the Orthopoxvirus family. The disease is known to have originated as early as 1958 from monkeys and is now widely transmitted to humans through infected animals or contaminated objects. The disease has been historically confined to certain areas of Africa, but the recent global outbreak highlights the need for comprehensive approaches toward this emerging public health challenge.
The Monkeypox virus can be classified into two principal clades: the West African lineage and the Central African (Congo Basin) lineage. Both variants are capable of infecting humans but the Central African lineage is known to cause more severe disease in the infected, with a mortality rate of 1-10 percent as opposed to the West African strain's 1-5 percent.
Fig.1 Mechanisms of systemic spread of monkeypox virus and their relationship to transmission routes. (Mitjà O., et al., 2023)
Vaccine Development for Monkeypox
Since the Monkeypox virus belongs to the same family of viruses as the Variola virus that brings about smallpox, scientists have utilized the orthopoxviruses cross-reactivity to build efficient vaccine approaches. There are three types of vaccines that have been classified for Monkeypox vaccination.
First-generation Smallpox Vaccines
Studies done on animals have shown that first generation smallpox vaccines such as the Dryvax vaccine have provided a high degree of protection against monkeypox. These non-replicating vaccinia virus-derived vaccines were able to achieve complete or almost complete protection in non-human primate models that were challenged with Monkeypox virus.
Second-generation Smallpox Vaccines
Safety concerns regarding the initial vaccines led to the design of second-generation smallpox vaccines like ACAM2000. These new and advanced vaccines, which are also based on the replicating vaccinia virus platform, are designed to exhibit less neurovirulence.
Third-generation Smallpox Vaccines
Development in the third generation of vaccines against Monkeypox led to the use of improved or non replicating vaccinia virus strains. A JYNNEOS vaccine, which is based off of modified vaccinia Ankara strain (MVA), is the most well known example of these third generation vaccines.
Therapeutics Development for Monkeypox
Antiviral Therapies
Tecovirimat, or TPOXX, is an antiviral medication that blocks the action of the orthopoxvirus VP37 protein, which is critical for the maturation and release of the virus. It is licensed for the treatment of smallpox and is under consideration for monkeypox treatment due to its effectiveness in animal models.
Brincidofovir, an oral prescription drug, as well as its intravenous form, cidofovir, are nucleotide polymerase analogs that block the action of viral DNA polymerase. These drugs are expected to be effective against orthopoxviruses, especially monkeypox, as shown in preclinical studies.
Immunotherapies
Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (VIGIV) is a passive immunotherapy that is derived from human plasma with a major concentration of antibodies directed against the vaccinia virus. Its main application is for the complications of smallpox vaccination, but now its use in monkeypox is being evaluated.
Our Services
We aim to combat Monkeypox by integrating our vaccine and therapeutic development services. We channel new scientific developments into the actions of our scientists and researchers, to design, evaluate, and optimize new solutions to this challenge.
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- MPXV Infection CAST/EiJ Mice Models
- West African (WA) or Congo Basin (CB) MPXV Strains Infection Prairie Dog Models
- CB MPXV Strains Infection Rope Squirrel Models
- MPXV Infection NHP Models
We employ state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, and advanced imaging, to provide in-depth characterization and evaluation of Monkeypox-related samples and test articles. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Mitjà, Oriol, et al. "Monkeypox." The Lancet 401.10370 (2023): 60-74.
- Rizk, John G., et al. "Prevention and treatment of monkeypox." Drugs 82.9 (2022): 957-963.
- Poland, Gregory A., Richard B. Kennedy, and Pritish K. Tosh. "Prevention of monkeypox with vaccines: a rapid review." The Lancet Infectious Diseases 22.12 (2022): e349-e358.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
