New Non-Biological Synthetic Replikins(TM) Vaccines Shown to Be Effective and
Fast; WorldVaccines(TM), Ltd Formed for Testing and Distribution
Old Biological Vaccines for Emergent Diseases - Too Little, Too Late
BOSTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- There is increasing evidence that, with best
intent, current biological technology cannot supply the world's six billion
humans, and animal populations, with vaccines against emerging diseases at a
rate that can contend with a disease's rapid appearance and change, e.g.,
before the disease has come and gone. In view of Replikins Ltd.'s
demonstration that Replikins(TM) chemically synthesized vaccines produced in
seven days can be effective, the company today proposed these new vaccines as
a solution to the problem of these emerging diseases. Furthermore, it
established WorldVaccines(TM), Ltd to test and distribute synthetic
Replikins(TM) vaccines.
As the first batches of the biological H1N1 ("Swine Flu") vaccines reach
consumers worldwide, seven months after the flu outbreak, this small biotech
firm in Boston today announced that it has created the first truly synthetic
influenza vaccine that targets the broad range of A influenza viruses
including H1N1, H5N1, H9N2, and H3N2, which was shown to be effective against
the H5N1 (Avian Flu) virus. TransFlu(TM) is the first truly synthetic
cross-strain pan-influenza vaccine.
In an independent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Avian Diseases,
the synthetic Replikins TransFlu(TM) vaccine was shown to be effective in
decreasing infectivity and completely blocking excretion of LPAI H5N1 virus in
chickens, permitting for the first time the possibility of blocking animal
virus reservoir development, a major precursor of human disease.
Both TransFlu(TM) and Taura Syndrome Virus vaccines were manufactured in seven
days; kilogram amounts could be made in a few weeks, rather than six to 12
months needed for biological vaccine production. The cost to produce the
synthetic vaccine is also far less than the cost of current biological
production methods. Given the demonstrated effectiveness and rapid
availability, it appears inevitable that synthetic Replikins(TM) vaccines will
eventually replace biological vaccines.
Further, until now, all influenza vaccines have been produced in biologically
living cells. Whether whole virus or recombinant virus sections are reproduced
in eggs, kidney, hamster, E.coli, or other cells, these living cells provide
the obligatory contamination in the vaccine of thousands of unwanted
immunogenic proteins, the potential for other virus contamination (viruses
only reproduce in living cells), and the need for potentially toxic
preservatives.
Over the last decade, Drs. Samuel and Elenore Bogoch have been developing
vaccine-manufacturing methods that are non-biological, based on software
algorithms designed to study virus structure, and organic chemistry. The new,
completely synthetic Replikins(TM) Vaccine Technology1-4 targets a group of
genomic peptides that they discovered and named Replikins(TM). These genomic
peptides were found to be conserved in viruses cross-strain over decades, and
to be related to rapid replication and epidemic outbreaks.
The centrality of the Replikins(TM) to influenza has been confirmed recently
by the data of two independent groups, Harvard-CDC and Scripps-Crucell. Their
findings demonstrate that inhibitory antibody lands on and binds selectively
to the very peptides that the Drs. Bogoch have previously identified as
Replikins(TM).
Three months to one year in advance of an outbreak, the related Replikins(TM)
FluForecast(R) software warns of the oncoming emergent disease. This
technology was recently validated when it successfully identified, a year in
advance, the current H1N1 outbreak. The technology also defines the
Replikins(TM) that need to be synthesized in the vaccine. Thus the
Replikins(TM) structures, which make up both the newly discovered infectivity
and lethality genes within the virus genome, provide the keys to both advance
warning and synthetic vaccine production.
References:
1. Replikins.com. Replikins Press. 31 reports published by Replikins Ltd.
2. Bogoch, S. and Bogoch, E.S., Replikins: the Chemistry of Rapid Replication.
Monograph. Begell House, New York, 2005.
3. Bogoch, S. et al., Replikins. Published patent applications and issued
patents, US Patent Office, 2002-2009.
4. Jackwood, M. et al. Efficacy of a Replikin Peptide Vaccine Against Low
Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5 Virus. Avian Diseases,
PublicationOnline,doi:10.1637/8892-042509-Res. Note.1; Hard copy Article In
Press. July 2009.
Foundation for Research on the Nervous System and Replikins, Ltd., 36 The
Fenway, Boston, MA 02215. http://www.replikins.com.
Contact:
John McKenney
Replikins Ltd.
jmckenney@replikins.com
617-536-0220
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit
http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Replikins Ltd.
John McKenney of Replikins Ltd., +1-617-536-0220, jmckenney@replikins.com
