New Genomic Analysis Shows H5N1 (Bird Flu) Replikin Count Highest Among Five Influenza Strains

LONDON, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Replikins are specific gene structures quantitatively related to rapid replication and outbreaks of viruses (1). Replikins Ltd today released its genomic analysis of the structures of five common strains of influenza: H3N2 (Seasonal Flu), H2N2 (Asian Flu), H1N1 (Swine Flu), H7N9 and H5N1 (Bird Flu). While the Replikin Counts in the genes of several influenza strains are increasing, the highest Replikin Counts continue to be in H5N1 (1) (See Figure). With the occurrence of additional human cases of H5N1 this year in Cambodia and Bangladesh (WHO), concern is increasing.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131009/PH94867 )

Rising Infectivity Gene Replikin Counts in H1N1 in 2008 predicted the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 (1, 2). Also, rising Lethality Gene Replikin Counts in H5N1 predicted the outbreak of H5N1 in Indonesia in 2006-2008, which peaked with a human mortality rate of 80% (3).

Replikins Ltd, a biotechnology and genomic analysis firm based in London and Boston, has developed a fully synthetic H5N1 vaccine that is now available for testing.  

Synthetic Replikins vaccine candidates against emerging H7N9 and H5N1 threats will be announced by Replikins, Ltd. at the World Vaccine Congress Europe October 16-17, 2013, Lille France. Two completely synthetic vaccine candidates are available for testing, both with long-term prevention goals and acute short-term blocking capacity. One of these vaccines targets H7N9 alone, the other H5N1 plus other common influenza strains (Replikins TransFlu™Vaccine).

Replikins is leveraging proprietary software techniques to isolate targeted regions in the virus related to rapid replication, called Replikins. The company and its partners are able to provide rapid synthetic turnaround of vaccine candidates based on early "scout" genomic data emerging from initial disease outbreaks. This approach stands in marked contrast to projections by other companies of delays of 7 months or longer before vaccines can be made available, and makes it possible to consider effective public health responses to disease outbreaks while they are still at an early stage.

The technique used to create Replikins' new synthetic vaccine candidates is similar to those the company used in manufacturing and testing a successful Replikins H5N1 "bird flu" vaccine in chickens in 2009 (4).  That vaccine was produced in 7 days, shipped freeze-dried, and administered via the respiratory tract.  Significantly, in addition to stopping the virus in the chickens, excretion of the virus was completely prevented, thus potentially interfering with the build-up of virus reservoirs which encourage mutations to more lethal strains (4).

Replikins analysis, prediction and synthetic vaccines also are available for Mers Cov and other coronaviruses.

References:
1. Bogoch S and Bogoch ES. Nature Precedings.  doi:10.1038/npre.2012.6952.1
(see also seven additional  Nature Precedings Publications, Bogoch 2011-2012. http://precedings.nature.com/documents/6952/version/1.  
2.  www.replikins.com
3. Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN Reports on Replikins (www.replikins.com)
4. Jackwood et al. Avian Diseases 53(4): 613‐617, 2009

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SOURCE Replikins