The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has been recognized for helping advance a promising new vaccine against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a serious virus spread mainly by ticks and infected animals. The Medical CBRN Defense Consortium honored biotechnology company HDT Bio and its partners, including UTMB, for progressing the vaccine from early laboratory research into its first phase of human testing.
Thomas Geisbert, PhD, professor, and Robert Cross, PhD, associate professor, both with the UTMB Department of Microbiology & Immunology, led the UTMB team that worked alongside HDT Bio, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the U.S. Department of War to test and evaluate the vaccine before it entered clinical trials.
In early studies, the vaccine demonstrated protection against the virus, leading the FDA to approve it for Phase 1 testing in people.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is one of the world’s most widespread viral hemorrhagic fevers and an emerging infectious disease threat. Cases have been increasing in new geographic regions due, in part, to warmer climates and expanding tick habitats.
Researchers at UTMB contributed expertise in high-consequence infectious diseases and biodefense as part of the collaborative effort to evaluate the HDT-321 vaccine candidate in preclinical studies conducted at NIAID’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana. The HDT-321 vaccine demonstrated protection against CCHF virus infection in preclinical models and later advanced through key manufacturing and regulatory milestones, ultimately receiving clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Phase 1 clinical testing.
The vaccine also uses technology designed to make it easier to manufacture and distribute, especially in places without extensive refrigeration systems. Early clinical data suggest the vaccine is safe and produces a strong immune response.
Sherry Schueller, PhD, associate director of operations at the UTMB Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, said UTMB has long been a national leader in infectious disease research, vaccine development, and biodefense preparedness. The center works with federal agencies, academic institutions, and biotechnology partners to address emerging and reemerging pathogens.
“This recognition underscores the importance of strong scientific partnerships in addressing emerging global health threats,” Schueller said. “UTMB is proud to collaborate with organizations such as HDT Bio and NIAID to help accelerate the development of medical countermeasures for high-consequence infectious diseases.”
Research reported in this press release was supported in part by the Division of Intramural Research, NIH/NIAID. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Effort sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W15QKN-16-9-1002 between the MCDC, and the Government. The US Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes, notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.