Throughout history, outbreaks of poliomyelitis have sparked major public health emergencies, resulting in extensive disability and, in severe instances, fatalities. Our steadfast dedication to research and development drives our mission to combat polio, as we strive to progress in the development of impactful solutions for vaccines and therapeutics.
Introduction to Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5. The causative agent is the poliovirus, a member of the Picornaviridae family, which can target and infect the nervous system, leading to various degrees of paralysis. Polio is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, with the virus entering the body and multiplying in the intestines before potentially reaching the nervous system.
Fig.1 Timeline of major events on the journey to the certification of Africa as polio-free. (Mohammed A., et al., 2021)
Vaccine Development for Poliomyelitis
Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
The IPV is composed of inactivated poliovirus strains, providing a safe and effective means of immunization. IPV is administered through injection and has been instrumental in reducing the incidence of poliomyelitis globally. IPV offers robust immunity without the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), a rare complication associated with the oral polio vaccine.
OPV contains live, attenuated poliovirus strains, which are designed to replicate in the intestinal tract, providing immunity similar to that acquired through natural infection. While highly effective in eradication efforts, OPV has been phased out in many countries due to the risk of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs), which can revert to a more virulent form.
Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2)
The development of nOPV2 represents a significant advancement in polio vaccine technology. This vaccine is genetically modified to be as immunogenic as the Sabin strain, while being less likely to revert to neurovirulence. The deployment of nOPV2 has been crucial in controlling outbreaks and is a testament to the ongoing innovation in the field of vaccinology.
Therapeutics Development for Poliomyelitis
Antiviral Therapies
The development of antiviral drugs against poliovirus has been a subject of extensive research. Capsid inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and replication inhibitors are among the potential drug classes being explored. These compounds target various stages of the viral life cycle, aiming to prevent viral replication and spread.
Immunotherapies
Immunotherapies, including the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), have shown promise in managing post-polio syndrome (PPS). IVIg preparations contain high titers of antibodies that can neutralize poliovirus, potentially reducing the severity of symptoms in affected individuals.
Our Services
Specializing in the provision of comprehensive services for the development of vaccines and therapeutics targeting poliomyelitis, our company offers a diverse array of solutions, including:
- Poliomyelitis Vaccine Development: We offer end-to-end services for the development of both inactivated (IPV) and live-attenuated (OPV) polio vaccines. Our capabilities include virus strain selection, cell line optimization, upstream and downstream process development, formulation, and stability testing.
- Poliomyelitis Antiviral Drug Discovery: Our drug discovery platform focuses on the identification and optimization of novel small-molecule compounds that target critical stages of the poliovirus life cycle. We employ high-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, and in-vitro and in-vivo validation to accelerate the development of effective antiviral therapies.
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
Disease Models
- Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the human poliovirus receptor (PVR) gene
- Mice with specific genes knocked out to increase susceptibility to poliovirus infection
- Mice with PVR expression regulated under specific promoters for specific cell types or tissues
We offer a suite of preclinical research services to support the development of polio vaccines and therapeutics. Our capabilities include in-vitro assays, animal models, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, and safety assessments to ensure the advancement of safe and effective products. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Mohammed, Abdulaziz, Oyewale Tomori, and John N. Nkengasong. "Lessons from the elimination of poliomyelitis in Africa." Nature Reviews Immunology 21.12 (2021): 823-828.
- Bandyopadhyay, Ananda S., and Simona Zipursky. "A novel tool to eradicate an ancient scourge: the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 story." The Lancet Infectious Diseases 23.2 (2023): e67-e71.
- Te Yeh, Ming, et al. "Engineering the live-attenuated polio vaccine to prevent reversion to virulence." Cell host & microbe 27.5 (2020): 736-751.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
