Leishmaniasis poses a multifaceted challenge worldwide, stemming from protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. Our company offers comprehensive services spanning the entire spectrum of vaccine and therapy development, encompassing candidate design and production all the way through preclinical testing.
Overview of Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne illness caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus, primarily transmitted through bites from infected female phlebotomine sandflies. The disease presents in various forms, including cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and the severe and life-threatening visceral leishmaniasis (VL). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), leishmaniasis impacts millions of individuals globally, predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions, with approximately 600,000 to 1 million new cases of CL and 50,000 to 90,000 cases of VL reported annually.
Fig.1 Leishmaniasis life cycle. (Mann S., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Leishmaniasis
Vaccine development for leishmaniasis has been a challenging endeavor due to the complex life cycle of the parasite and the diverse clinical presentations of the disease. However, recent advances in understanding the immunology of Leishmania infections have paved the way for the development of novel vaccines.
Table 1. Overview of vaccine candidates in clinical trials. (Kaye P. M., et al., 2023)
| Candidate |
Antigen platform |
Developer/manufacturer |
Phase of development, population, and location |
Clinical trial refs |
| LmCen−/− |
Live attenuated |
Gennova Biopharma, India |
Late preclinical; Phase I planned US and India |
NA |
| mRNA (LEISH F2/F3) |
Self amplifying mRNA |
HDT Bio, USA |
Late preclinical; Phase I planned US and Brazil |
NA |
| ChAd63-KH |
Replication-deficient adenovirus |
University of York / Advaxia |
Phase II (therapeutic); Phase I UK, Phase II Sudan |
Eudract number
2012-005596-14
NCT02894008
NCT03969134 |
Therapeutics Development for Leishmaniasis
The development of drugs and therapies for leishmaniasis has focused on targeting various stages of the parasite's life cycle and mitigating the host's immune response. The goal is to develop therapeutics that are effective, safe, and affordable.
- Pentavalent Antimonials: Traditional first-line drugs like sodium stibogluconate, which have been used for decades but are associated with toxicity and the emergence of resistance.
- Liposomal Amphotericin B: A second-line drug that has fewer side effects and is effective against antimonial-resistant parasites.
- Miltefosine: An oral drug that offers a shorter therapeutic duration but has been associated with teratogenicity and the potential for resistance.
Our Services
Within our company, a team of multidisciplinary experts merges proficiency in molecular biology, immunology, and pharmacology to provide all-encompassing services for the development of vaccines and therapeutics aimed at combating leishmaniasis. This collaborative approach drives the advancement of inventive solutions targeting this often overlooked disease.
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- Leishmania parasites Infection Models
- Promastigote Stage Infection Models
- Amastigote Stage Infection Models
Infection routes: subcutaneous, intracardial, intraperitoneal, or intravenous inoculation.
In our methodology, we prioritize rigorous preclinical testing to assess the immunogenicity and effectiveness of vaccine candidates, coupled with thorough safety evaluations of novel therapeutic compounds. Through partnerships with esteemed research institutions and the utilization of state-of-the-art technologies, our objective is to expedite the progress of effective vaccines and therapeutics for leishmaniasis. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Mann, Sarah, et al. "A review of leishmaniasis: current knowledge and future directions." Current tropical medicine reports 8 (2021): 121-132.
- Kaye, Paul M., et al. "Vaccine value profile for leishmaniasis." vaccine 41 (2023): S153-S175.
- Pradhan, Swetalina, et al. "Treatment options for leishmaniasis." Clinical and experimental dermatology 47.3 (2022): 516-521.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
