Characterized by a distinctive rash and fever, measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and malnutrition, particularly in developing regions. Our company is at the forefront of providing comprehensive services for the development of measles vaccines and therapeutics.
Introduction to Measles
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus (MeV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the 1960s, this pathogen was responsible for an estimated minimum of one million fatalities annually worldwide. While significant progress has been made in controlling the virus through vaccination, the fight against measles is far from over.
The measles virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets and infects primarily the respiratory tract and lymphoid tissues. After an incubation period of approximately 10-12 days, the characteristic measles symptoms begin, including fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash. Critically, the measles virus also induces long-lasting immunosuppression in infected individuals, leaving them vulnerable to secondary infections for months or even years after recovery.
Fig.1 Target site mapping of the measles virus (MeV) polymerase inhibitor ERDRP-0519. (Plemper R. K., et al., 2020)
Vaccine Development for Measles
Live Attenuated Vaccines
The initial Edmonston strain, which underwent additional attenuation via cell culture passages, forms the foundation for various present-day vaccines. This includes strains like Moraten, Schwarz, and Edmonston-Zagreb, all exhibiting notable efficacy rates with a two-dose regimen.
Inactivated Vaccines
Historically used, inactivated measles vaccines faced challenges due to their inability to confer long-term immunity and potential to enhance disease severity upon subsequent exposure to wild-type virus. This has led to a preference for live attenuated vaccines in current immunization programs.
Novel Vaccines
With advances in biotechnology, novel vaccine platforms are being explored. These include recombinant vector vaccines, where a harmless virus carries MeV antigens, and nucleic acid-based vaccines, such as DNA and mRNA vaccines, which encode for viral proteins and stimulate an immune response without the need for live virus.
Therapeutics Development for Measles
- Antiviral Therapeutics
The development of antiviral drugs for measles has been challenging due to the limited number of cellular receptors the virus uses and its rapid replication rate. However, research is underway to identify compounds that can inhibit key viral processes, such as fusion and polymerase activity. Examples include ERDRP-0519, a polymerase inhibitor showing promise in preclinical models.
- Immunotherapies
Strategies to bolster the immune response in measles patients include the use of immunoglobulins and interferons. These therapies aim to support the host's immune system in clearing the virus and mitigating complications.
Kindly access the following link for detailed information on our all-inclusive services for measles vaccine and therapeutic development.
Our Services
At our company, we are proud to offer a comprehensive suite of services to support the development of innovative measles vaccines and therapeutics. Our vertically integrated capabilities span the entire drug and vaccine development spectrum, from early-stage research to late-stage preclinical trials.
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) Natural Susceptibility Models to Measles Virus
- Genomic CD46 Transgenic Animal Models
- CD150 (SLAM) Transgenic Mouse Models
With our depth of expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, our company is uniquely positioned to accelerate the development of next-generation measles vaccines and therapies. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to
contact us.
References
- Plemper, Richard K. "Measles resurgence and drug development." Current opinion in virology 41 (2020): 8-17.
- Griffin, Diane E. "Measles vaccine." Viral immunology 31.2 (2018): 86-95.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
