Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), a severe and often fatal illness in humans, is caused by the Ebola virus. Our company specializes in providing comprehensive services for the development of vaccines and therapies against EVD.
Introduction to Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe and often lethal condition caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of the Filoviridae family. EVD was initially recognized in 1976 during simultaneous outbreaks in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The illness is characterized by a high fatality rate, which can soar up to 90% in certain instances. Early symptoms typically encompass fever, intense headaches, muscle soreness, and fatigue, progressing to gastrointestinal issues and hemorrhagic manifestations.
Fig.1 Ebolavirus structure indicates various proteins and the genes that code for them. (Jacob S. T., et al., 2017)
Vaccine Development for Ebola Virus Disease
The development of vaccines against EVD has seen significant advancements in recent years. Several types of vaccines are being explored:
- Nucleic Acid Vaccines: Among these are DNA and RNA vaccines that deliver genetic material encoding viral proteins, triggering an immune response without the necessity of live or inactivated pathogens.
- Vector Vaccines: By harnessing benign viruses like vesicular stomatitis virus to transport genes from the Ebola virus, these vaccines stimulate the body to generate a defensive reaction against the authentic virus.
- Protein-Based Vaccines: Composed of purified viral proteins, these vaccines are designed to elicit an immune response without the risk of causing the disease.
- Virus-Like Particles (VLPs): VLPs mimic the structure of the virus but lack the genetic material, offering a safe way to stimulate an immune response.
Table 1 Research status of candidate vaccines for Ebola virus disease. (Baseler L., et al., 2020)
| Candidate vaccine(s) |
Vaccine design |
Status |
Trial |
| rAd26 ZEBOV-GP and MVA-BN-Filo |
Human adenovirus (Ad) 26 vector with impaired replication capabilities expressing the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV); Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) from Bavarian Nordic (BN) with disabled replication abilities expressing the glycoproteins of Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), Marburg virus (MARV), and Taï Forest virus (TAFV). |
Phase I |
NCT02313077 |
| rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (also known as BPSC-1001 and V920) |
Replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSIV) expressing the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV) instead of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. |
Phase I |
NCT02283099 |
| rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (also known as BPSC-1001 and V920) |
Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSIV) is capable of replication and expresses the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV) in lieu of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. |
Phase I/II |
NCT02287480, conducted in Switzerland |
| rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (also known as BPSC-1001 and V920) or ChAd3-EBOZ |
A recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSIV) capable of replication and expressing the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV) instead of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein; as well as a ChAd3 vector expressing the EBOV GP. |
Phase II |
NCT02344407, also known as PREVAIL I, conducted in Liberia292 |
| rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (also known as BPSC-1001 and V920) |
A replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSIV) that expresses the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV) instead of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. |
Phase II/III |
NCT02378753, also known as STRIVE, conducted in Sierra Leone |
| rAd26 ZEBOV-GP and MVA-BN-Filo |
A replication-defective human adenovirus 26 vector that carries the gene for the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV); and a replication-incompetent modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) from Bavarian Nordic (BN) expressing the glycoproteins of EBOV, SUDV, MARV, and TAFV. |
Phase III |
NCT02509494, also known as EBOVAC-Salone |
| rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP (also known as BPSC-1001 and V920) |
A replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSIV) expressing the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV) instead of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. |
Phase III |
NCT02503202 |
| rAd26 ZEBOV-GP, MVA-BN-Filo and rVSV ∆G-ZEBOV-GP |
A replication-defective human Ad 26 vector expressing the glycoprotein of the Ebola virus (EBOV); a replication-incompetent MVA-BN vector expressing the glycoproteins of EBOV, SUDV, MARV, and TAFV; and a replication-competent rVSIV vector expressing the Ebola virus glycoprotein in place of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. |
Phase III |
NCT02543268 and NCT02876328, also known as PREVAC, conducted in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali |
Therapeutics Development for Ebola Virus Disease
Scientific Approaches to Therapies
- Antiviral Drugs: Small molecules that interfere with viral replication, such as remdesivir, which has shown promise in animal models.
- Immunotherapies: Utilizing monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma from recovered patients to boost the immune response.
Notable Therapeutic Advances
- ZMapp: A cocktail of monoclonal antibodies that has been used to treat EVD, showing some effectiveness in limited settings.
- REGN-EB3: A trio of monoclonal antibodies that has demonstrated improved survival rates in clinical trials.
Our Services
Specializing in the provision of extensive services for the development of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) vaccines and therapies, our company offers a strong foundation for designing, testing, and enhancing vaccine candidates. Employing state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, our team of specialists is committed to deepening the knowledge of EVD and creating impactful therapeutic solutions.
Disease Models
- Mouse-Adapted Ebola Virus (MA-EBOV)
- Collaborative Cross (CC) Mice
- Syrian Golden Hamsters Infection EBOV Models
- Outbred Duncan-Hartley and Inbred Strain 13 Guinea Pigs
- Nonhuman Primate (NHP) EBOV Models
Preclinical research is a cornerstone of our operations. We conduct rigorous in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential vaccines and therapies. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Baseler, Laura, et al. "The pathogenesis of Ebola virus disease." Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease 12.1 (2017): 387-418.
- Jacob, Shevin T., et al. "Ebola virus disease." Nature reviews Disease primers 6.1 (2020): 13.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
