RSV Vaccine Shows Protection Against Live Virus Challenge In Pre-Clinical Study: Mymetics

Mymetics’ scientists, in collaboration with the Molecular Virology department of the University of Groningen, found that two consecutive injections of the vaccine at a two-week interval successfully protected mice and cotton rats against a live virus challenge.

In collaboration with the Molecular Virology department of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, headed by Wilschut, co-inventor of the vaccine, Mymetics’ scientists showed that two consecutive injections of the vaccine at a two-week interval successfully protected mice and cotton rats against a live virus challenge.

Vaccination was safe and well tolerated, and all vaccinated animals recovered from the virus challenge, with healthy lungs and having completely cleared the virus. The mice selected (Balb/C strain) have immune systems resembling those of elderly people, who are particularly susceptible to the disease.

The study was run by Mymetics BV (formerly Virosome Biologicals), which was acquired by Mymetics Corporation in 2009. Prior to 2009, Mymetics BV had developed an intranasal influenza vaccine, which successfully cleared Phase I clinical trials and has been licensed to Abbott. The RSV vaccine is based on the proprietary virosome technology platform of Mymetics BV.

Jacques-Francois Martin, CEO of Mymetics Corporation, said: “These significant results further confirm the importance of our acquisition last year, and I am happy to see that the progress of our Dutch team has been acknowledged by this prominent journal. The results also support the broad applicability of our new virosome-based technology to a range of viral diseases.”