MVA-BN® WEV Equine Encephalitis Vaccine Description
Bavarian Nordic A/S MVA-BN® WEV is a prophylactic vaccine candidate against three equine encephalitis viruses (western, eastern, and Venezuelan). Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, is the cause of one of the most severe arboviral diseases in North America, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The clinical course typically begins as a systemic febrile illness but often progresses to neurologic disease. EEEV neuroinvasive disease is estimated to have a 30% case-fatality rate, with approximately half of survivors left with neurologic sequelae.
Using the live virus vaccine platform technology, MVA-BN®, Bavarian Nordic has created a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered product candidates designed to save and improve lives by unlocking the immune system's power.
In March 2018, Bavarian Nordic entered a multi-year contract valued at up to $36 million with the U.S. Government to develop MVA-BN WEV. Under this contract, Bavarian Nordic is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial, which was initiated in October. In addition, on the 19. On December 23, 2022, Bavarian Nordic announced a new agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND), for the advanced development of MVA-BN WEV. The new DoD agreement has a total value of up to USD 83 million.
As of December 23, 2022, the U.S. CDC indicates no approved vaccines for human use against equine encephalitis viruses.
Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies against infectious diseases and cancer.
MVA-BN WEV Vaccine Indication
MVA-BN-WEV vaccine candidate is indicated to prevent illness from equine encephalitis viruses. Eastern, Venezuelan, and western equine encephalitis viruses belong to the family alphavirus and are transmitted through mosquitos, birds, and some mammals. While the viruses vary in infection rates and disease severity, all three pathogens are associated with risks of flu-like symptoms, potential central nervous disorders, and death.
In 2019, the U.S. experienced the worst outbreak of Eastern equine encephalitis since monitoring of the disease began. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38 cases, including 15 deaths, were reported in 2019, compared to an annual average of 7 cases over the past decade. The majority of cases occurred in the northeastern parts of the U.S., where mosquitoes have been found to carry the virus.
MVA-BN WEV Vaccine News
December 23, 2022 - “We are proud to continue our partnership with the U.S. government on the developing-needed vaccine to combat equine encephalitis, which is another emerging disease, often leading to serious complications and even death. Using the same platform technology upon which our mpox vaccine was also built, we are truly leveraging our core experience in R&D innovation and vaccine manufacturing to help before robustronger preparedness for the U.S. and its citizens. We look forward to continuing our work with DoD on this vital program,“ commented Paul Chaplin, President, and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, in a press release.
June 8, 2020 – Bavarian Nordic announced topline results from the first-in-human trial of MVA-BN WEV, a prophylactic vaccine candidate against three equine encephalitis viruses (western, eastern and Venezuelan), for which there are currently no preventative vaccines available.
October 8, 2019 – Bavarian Nordic A/S announced the initiation of the first-in-human trial of MVA-BN® WEV, a prophylactic vaccine candidate against the equine encephalitis virus - a rare but potentially deadly illness. The program, funded by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear Medical (JPM CBRN Medical), is a multi-year agreement valued at up to USD 36 million. He. He aims to develop a vaccine against three separate strains of the equine encephalitis virus, Eastern (EEEV), Venezuelan (VEEV), and Western (WEEV).
MVA-BN WEV Clinical Trials
Clinical Trial NCT04131595: Vaccination Trial of a Recombinant MVA-BN-WEV Vaccine in 45 Healthy Adult Subjects. Actual Study Start Date: October 7, 2019.
