Breakthrough Vaccine Against H5N1 Avian Influenza Shows Promise in Preclinical Trials
BUFFALO-NIAGARA, N.Y., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The ongoing global spread of H5N1 avian influenza continues to pose significant threats across various species and continents. In a promising development, researchers from POP Biotechnologies, a spin-off from the University at Buffalo (SUNY), have announced that their innovative vaccine has demonstrated complete protection against this deadly virus in preclinical trials. This breakthrough comes at a crucial time when H5N1 is impacting not only poultry and livestock but also wild birds and domestic pets, raising serious alarms about its potential to trigger a pandemic.
The results from these preclinical trials were published today in the esteemed scientific journal, Cell Biomaterials. An international team of researchers reported that their nanoparticle-based vaccine, which incorporates two recombinant proteins derived from the virushemagglutinin (H5) and neuraminidase (N1)successfully protected laboratory mice from lethal doses of the H5N1 virus, specifically the clade 2.3.4.4b strain. This particular strain has been noted for causing significant mortality in avian populations as well as increasing instances of infection in humans.
The vaccine utilizes the proprietary POP BIO SNAP nanoparticle platform developed by POP Biotechnologies. In a remarkable achievement, the vaccine offered 100% protection in the test subjects, preventing the onset of illness and effectively removing any detectable virus from the lung tissues of the mice post-exposure.
Dr. Jonathan Lovell, co-founder of POP Biotechnologies and a professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo, elaborated on the vaccine's mechanism, stating, Our approach is kind of like a magnet that can attach vaccine components to a small particle surface. It just clicks into place easily. The body's immune system can better recognize the particles, resulting in stronger immune responses. It's also fast and efficient to manufacture, which is advantageous when you need to quickly ramp up vaccine production.
The POP BIO SNAP technology distinguishes itself by employing cobalt-binding interactions to facilitate the attachment of viral proteins to nanoparticles. This innovative method enhances immune responses even when using low doses of antigens, thereby accelerating the overall vaccine development process. Moreover, it addresses the inherent limitations associated with traditional egg-based vaccine production, which can be susceptible during widespread avian outbreaks.
The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated, especially in light of recent reports indicating that over 1,000 dairy herds across the United States have been affected by H5N1 infections. Cases of illness have also been reported among farm workers, and distressing fatalities in domestic cats have been linked to consumption of contaminated milk and pet food. Since early 2022, more than 167 million poultry birds in the U.S. have been impacted, resulting in unprecedented increases in egg prices and raising serious concerns about food security nationwide.
John R. Fulton, founder of BioNiagara, emphasized the importance of this research in the context of global health preparedness, stating, This is a pivotal moment for pandemic preparedness initiatives. Cross-border collaboration and cutting-edge technologies like POP BIO SNAP are vital to preempting a potential pandemic.
The preclinical study represents a collaborative effort involving a diverse team from multiple institutions, including the University at Buffalo, the National Microbiology Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Canada, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the University of Manitoba.
About POP Biotechnologies
POP Biotechnologies is a clinical-stage biotech company specializing in the development of nanoparticle vaccines and immunotherapy platforms.
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