Patent granted for a vaccine candidate against
Dengue virus
José A. Acosta, Ricardo S. Rodríguez,
Boris E. Acevedo
Havana - November 28. The Center for Genetic Engineering
and Biotechnology (CIGB) from Havana , Cuba , and the Tropical
Medicine Institute "Pedro
Kouri" have made encouraging advances in the research and development
of a preventive vaccine candidate against Dengue virus. A patent
in this field has been granted to both institutions in Europe claiming
five synthetic peptides comprising sequences of no more than 40
amino acids from the Dengue virus preM/M protein, wherein the antibodies
elicited were protective against Dengue virus infection. The anti-peptide
immune response was evaluated in mice. Recombinant fusion proteins
were also obtained, including regions of the pre-M/M protein.
Peptides elicited neutralizing antibodies against the four serotypes
of the Dengue virus and virus-specific proliferative responses
were demonstrated in mice immunized with non-conjugated peptides.
Mice immunized with conjugated peptides were protected against
the challenge with the Dengue virus.
The Dengue virus produces Dengue fever and in some cases a very
severe disease, the Hemorrhagic Dengue fever with a high mortality
rate. These diseases have increased considerably after the 2 nd
World War and are now considered the main arthropod born diseases
in the tropical region. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), 2 500 million people are now at risk from dengue. WHO currently
estimates there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide
every year.
About the CIGB
The CIGB, a vanguard institution in the Life Sciences
in Cuba , is a large research-production complex, endowed with
the state of the art equipment, production capacities and personnel
devoted to the development of new biotechnology products in all
stages, from the cloning and expression using recombinant DNA technology
to industrial production. The CIGB has extensive experience in
the recombinant DNA technology dated back to 1980, with more than
1300 employees, owning the most modern and efficient technology,
carefully studied-beforehand facilities so as to ease the quiet
and continuous workflow with a total area of more than 70 000 m² .
The CIGB is looking for corporate partnership for joint development
of R&D projects.
For information: http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu or http://www.cigb.edu.cu
Contact: ricardo.silva@cigb.edu.cu
Phone: (53-7) 2712397.
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