Hepatitis A, a viral infection affecting the liver, has been a significant public health concern worldwide. Our company, a leader in infectious disease research, offers comprehensive hepatitis A vaccine and therapy development services.
Overview of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infectious illness triggered by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), belonging to the Picornaviridae family as a positive-stranded RNA virus. The virus primarily impacts the liver, resulting in inflammation and a spectrum of symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and fever. Transmission commonly occurs through the fecal-oral pathway, often via tainted food or water sources. The global impact of hepatitis A remains significant, with millions of infections reported annually, notably prevalent in regions grappling with inadequate sanitation and restricted access to clean water supplies.
Fig.1 Rates of reported acute HAV infection, by age group, in the US, 2002 to 2017. (Shouval D., et al., 2020)
Vaccine Development for Hepatitis A
Inactivated vaccines, such as Havrix and Vaqta, have been pivotal in controlling hepatitis A outbreaks. These vaccines are derived from inactivated HAV, which stimulates an immune response without causing disease. Clinical studies demonstrate that these vaccines are highly effective, achieving over 95% efficacy in preventing infection. For instance, a study conducted in the United States from 1996 to 2011 reported a dramatic 95% decline in hepatitis A incidence following widespread vaccination campaigns.
Live attenuated vaccines have been particularly effective in regions with high endemicity. For example, a live attenuated HAV vaccine introduced in China since 1992 has been integral to national immunization programs, significantly reducing incidence rates. Data indicates that mass immunization efforts have led to a marked decline in hepatitis A cases, showcasing the vaccine's effectiveness in controlling outbreaks.
Therapeutics Development for Hepatitis A
Research is ongoing to develop targeted therapies for Hepatitis A. This includes the exploration of antiviral drugs that could potentially reduce the severity and duration of the illness. While no specific drug has been approved for Hepatitis A, the progress in understanding the virus's life cycle offers promise for future therapeutic development.
In addition to vaccine development, our company is actively engaged in research initiatives aimed at exploring potential therapeutic options for hepatitis A. Please click on the link below to learn more about our one-stop solutions.
Our Services
Our comprehensive support extends across the entire spectrum of hepatitis A vaccine and therapeutic development, encompassing protocol design through preclinical studies. The team possesses the expertise to execute meticulous efficacy and safety evaluations, guaranteeing that candidate vaccines and therapeutics align with regulatory requirements.
Disease Models
- Alb-uPA/SCID Beige Mice with Chimeric Human Livers
- Ifnar1−/− Mice
- Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
- Saguinus Mystax
- Saguinus labiatus
- Owl Monkeys (Aotus species)
By integrating molecular biology, immunology, and epidemiology, our
preclinical research team conducts thorough assessments to identify promising vaccine candidates. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to
contact us.
References
- Shouval, Daniel. "The history of hepatitis A." Clinical Liver Disease 16 (2020): 12-23.
- Zhang, Li. "Hepatitis A vaccination." Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics 16.7 (2020): 1565-1573.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
