Technology

The PHV team’s initial development efforts center around novel filovirus vaccines against hemorrhagic fevers caused by Marburg virus (MARV) and Sudan virus (SUDV) using the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector platform technology.  The use of VSV as a live, replicating, attenuated vaccine vector platform is supported by clinical trials and outbreak use of the rVSV Zaire Ebola vaccine involving more than 50,000 people, and nonclinical data indicating that rVSV filovirus vaccines may also be effective for post-exposure prophylaxis.  An important feature of rVSV vaccines is the rapid onset of protection after a single dose.    

MARV and SUDV are both members of the Filoviridae family of viruses and both are considered select agents that are Risk Group 4 Pathogens (WHO), Category A Priority Pathogens (NIH/NIAID) and Category A Bioterrorism Agents (CDC).  The rVSV-MARV and rVSV-SUDV vaccine candidates represent ideal solutions to significant public health and biodefense challenges.  The technology has been shown effective in primate models both pre- and post-exposure for the targeted indications, and the manufacturing, safety, and regulatory pathways have been demonstrated for a similar indication.