Ebola Virus Gene Replikin Count Increased Sixteen-fold in 2013 in Advance of Current Outbreaks

LONDON, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Replikins Ltd. today released new data on changes in the gene structure of the Ebola virus. Before the current outbreaks, the mean Ebola Reston gene Replikin Count (number of Replikins per 100 amino acids) between 1995 and 2002 was 1.1; the mean Replikin Count increased twofold in 2010, threefold in 2012, and sixteen-fold in 2013, thus predicting the current outbreaks in humans.

In the past, this technology has been shown to be able to predict outbreaks (1).  For example, increases in gene Replikin Counts in H1N1 influenza, found in 2008, predicted the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic.  The Replikin Count has also predicted outbreaks of lethal H5N1.

Using this technology, a synthetic Replikins vaccine, produced in five days, has been shown to be effective against H5N1 influenza (2).  A similar synthetic anti-Ebola candidate vaccine is being made.

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References:
1. Bogoch S and Bogoch ES. Prediction of specific virus outbreaks made from the increased concentration of a new class of virus genomic peptides, replikins. Nature Precedings doi:10.1038/npre.2011.6279.1
2. Jackwood MW et al. Efficacy of a Replikin Peptide Vaccine Against LowPathogenicity Avian Influenza H5 Virus. Avian Diseases 53(4): 613‐617, 2009.

SOURCE Replikins Ltd.