OPKO Health: ModeX Therapeutics Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Candidate
ModeX Therapeutics, an OPKO Health company, has exciting news to share! They have just announced that the first participant has been dosed with their novel EBV vaccine candidate in a Phase I clinical study. This vaccine, developed in collaboration with Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada), is a potential game-changer in the fight against the Epstein-Barr virus.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis and is linked to various cancers and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for EBV. That’s why the development of this investigational vaccine is such a significant milestone.
ModeX’s vaccine, known as MDX2201, aims to stimulate protective immunity in patients by targeting multiple viral proteins. By presenting antigens from four different viral proteins involved in viral entry into host cells, this vaccine could potentially inhibit infection in two cell types—B cells and epithelial cells. This innovative approach sets MDX2201 apart from previous efforts that focused solely on one viral protein.
The research behind this vaccine is based on ModeX’s ferritin nanoparticle vaccine platform. This technology allows for the expression of up to 24 copies of a recombinant antigen on the surface of the nanoparticle, enhancing the presentation of key components of the virus and stimulating durable protective immunity. Excitingly, preclinical data published in May 2022 in Science Translational Medicine highlighted the promise of this EBV vaccine technology.
This Phase I study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of MDX2201 in up to 200 healthy adults. ModeX is grateful to all the participants and physicians who are involved in this important research in collaboration with Merck. If successful, this vaccine could have a significant impact on public health worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on ModeX Therapeutics and their groundbreaking work in developing multispecific biologics for cancer and infectious diseases. The future looks brighter with advancements like these on the horizon!
