Ricin Vaccine Candidate Continues Displays Positive Protection

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed the development of an effective vaccine against ricin toxin might act as a deterrent against the actual use of ricin.

And could be used to vaccinate military personnel and civilians who might be at high risk of potential exposure.

A study published in the journal njpVaccines on December 16, 2022, indicates a New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company's vaccine may meet those requirements.

Soligenix, Inc. recently announced today the publication of preclinical immunogenicity challenge studies for RiVax® (heat stable ricin toxin vaccine) demonstrating statistically significant correlates of protection (100%) predicting survival after lethal aerosolized ricin challenge in non-human primates (NHPs).

"These published results identifying correlates of protection between NHPs and humans are essential to advancing RiVax® under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Animal Rule," stated Oreola Donini, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Soligenix, in a press release on December 19, 2022 

"This, and other ongoing work, has continued to corroborate the efficacy of RiVax® and will facilitate its potential approval (Animal Rule)."

RiVax is the Company's vaccine candidate for preventing death following exposure to a lethal dose of ricin toxin using a unique antigen completely devoid of ricin's toxic activity.

Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. If castor beans are chewed and swallowed, the released ricin can cause injury. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid, says the CDC.

Since no antidote exists for a ricin infection, the most critical defense factor is avoiding ricin exposure in the first place.

In 2013, there was a ricin exposure situation in the U.S. 

Previously, RiVax received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA and, upon approval, has the potential to qualify for a biodefense Priority Review Voucher.

In addition, RiVax has received an Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency.