y como ves a TNXP?
hoy hay noticia interesante y está moviendo muchísimo volumen:
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Enters into Research and Exclusive License Option Agreement with Kansas State University to Develop Vaccine Against COVID-19
GlobeNewswire GlobeNewswire•July 13, 2020
Research to Develop Live Replicating Vaccine (TNX-2300) to Protect Against COVID-19 Based on Bovine Parainfluenza Virus
TNX-2300 Will Be Tonix’s Second Live Replicating Virus Vaccine Platform
TNX-2300 Is Designed to Utilize the CD40-Ligand to Drive T cell Immunity
NEW YORK, July 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a new preclinical research and option agreement with Kansas State University (K-State) to develop a vaccine candidate for the prevention of COVID-19 that utilizes a novel live virus vaccine vector platform and the CD40-ligand, also known as CD154 or 5c8 antigen, to stimulate T cell immunity.
Under the research agreement, K-State will advance preclinical development of a live replicating virus vaccine to protect against COVID-19 based on bovine parainfluenza virus. Attenuated bovine parainfluenza virus has previously been shown to be an effective antigen delivery vector in humans1-6. Notably and most importantly, following extensive testing in non-human primates, the attenuated BPI3V was shown to be well tolerated, infectious, immunogenic, and stable in infants and children2, 5. The vector is well suited for mucosal immunization using a nasal atomizer, but it can also be delivered parenterally. The technology also includes a molecular stimulant called CD40-ligand, which triggers strong immunity including T cell responses. The vaccine is designed to potentially stimulate immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The research will be directed by Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, Kansas State University, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, who is the inventor of the new technology. In addition, K-State has granted Tonix an option for an exclusive license for the clinical and commercial use of K-State’s intellectual property associated with coronavirus vaccines under this relationship.
“This marks our second live viral vaccine vector platform for the prevention of COVID-19,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix. “Our lead vaccine in development, TNX-1800, is based on horsepox virus. The K-State program is based on bovine parainfluenza virus. Because vaccines based on live replicating viruses trigger the immune system by direct stimulation of T cells, they typically evoke strong, long-lasting and durable immunity. Live replicating virus vaccines for other infectious diseases, such as smallpox, are known to inhibit forward transmission or contagion, which is the process that spreads infectious diseases. Inhibiting contagion is a critical need in controlling a pandemic, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic since spread of SARS CoV-2 by asymptomatic individuals is a key feature of how this diabolical virus coopts human social interactions to propagate. There are currently well over 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines in various stages of develpment7, but relatively few utilize live replicating viral platforms, such as Merck’s measles-based and VSV-based programs. Like Tonix’s TNX-1800 based on horsepox, TNX-2300 is a live replicating virus vaccine designed to elicit T cell immunity. Both are currently in preclinical development.”
Dr. Waithaka Mwangi said, “Our goal in utilizing a live replicating virus vaccine and CD40-ligand as a molecular adjuvant is to develop a COVID-19 vaccine that is well tolerated, produces durable immunity, prevents forward transmission and can be rapidly and broadly deployed.”
“TNX-2300 is another step in the strategic broadening of Tonix’s portfolio of live viral vaccines, which are designed for durable T cell immunity and prevention of forward transmission. We are excited to be exploiting bovine parainfluenza virus for this purpose. We are also excited that Dr. Mwangi is combining it with CD40-ligand to selectively stimulate immunity. CD40-ligand is a cell surface molecule that I discovered and characterized in 19918 when I was a tenure track assistant professor at Columbia University directing a laboratory that conducted research on viruses and immunity. It’s gratifying to see that CD40-ligand may potentially play a role as we move forward in the fight against COVID-19,” added Dr. Lederman.
“As the world’s foremost global food and biosecurity science university, K-State is committed to understanding and combatting zoonotic diseases and the viruses that cause them like SARS-CoV-2,” said Dr. Peter Dorhout, Vice President for Research at K-State. “To deploy our innovations at scale, our faculty need to combine forces with collaborative corporate partners like Tonix Pharmaceuticals as part of our land-grant mission to serve.”
