Texas Biomed enters landmark partnership with CEPI

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Texas Biomed now part of global “100 Days Mission” effort aimed at preventing and quickly containing infectious disease outbreaks through accelerated vaccine development

Scientists view cells through microscope

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 28, 2024) – Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) has entered a global partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The five-year agreement will see the Institute join CEPI’s specialized preclinical network totaling 16 laboratories worldwide.

Under the partnership, Texas Biomed will deliver preclinical research and resources to help develop vaccines for reducing global epidemic and pandemic risks.

“This is an exciting moment for Texas Biomed as we take a leading role in the development of viable countermeasures for infectious diseases,” said Larry Schlesinger, M.D., President/CEO. “This decade has seen a tripling of large outbreaks relative to prior decades and the threat is not going away. Texas Biomed has a vital role to play in addressing this global public health issue and this partnership with CEPI is a major recognition of the quality of our science.”

CEPI was formed in 2017 after the devastating West African Ebola epidemic that killed 11,000 people. The coalition aims to transform the world’s response to the next novel threat by supporting researchers and scientists in producing safe and effective vaccines, among other strategies. It has received support from over 30 national governments and key philanthropic organizations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.

“CEPI is committed to preventing future epidemics and pandemics. We were impressed by Texas Biomed’s nimble and forward-leaning approach and we are honored to now be partners. We look forward to collaborating on world-class science together,” said Amy Shurtleff, Ph.D., Director, Department of Laboratory Research and Innovations at CEPI.

Part of the work undertaken at Texas Biomed will include testing vaccines against CEPI’s priority pathogens, such as Lassa fever and Nipah, in preclinical models and generating data to more rapidly assess CEPI-supported vaccine candidates in development.

The strategies are at the heart of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, said Texas Biomed Executive Vice President, Cory Hallam, Ph.D., who directs the Institute’s Applied Science and Innovation (ASI) unit focused on advancing contract research, innovation and commercialization.

“Texas Biomed shares CEPI’s goal of enabling the world to be prepared for the next potential pandemic with a new vaccine developed in just 100 days,” Hallam said. “It’s a bold and inspired approach that draws on the power of a global collaborative network. Our new partnership builds on Texas Biomed and CEPI’s complementary strengths and provides a compelling opportunity for our senior scientists and researchers to make a significant contribution to international efforts to combat infectious disease.”

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About Texas Biomedical Research Institute

Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy. Learn more at txbiomed.org.

About CEPI

CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has supported the development of more than 50 vaccine candidates or platform technologies against multiple known high-risk pathogens or a future Disease X. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating five-year plan for 2022-2026 is the ‘100 Days Mission’ to compress the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Find out more at https://cepi.net/  

Marburg vaccine tested at Texas Biomed deployed to Rwanda

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  • Doses of an investigational Marburg vaccine have been sent to Rwanda to combat outbreak
  • Texas Biomed partnered with Sabin Vaccine Institute to perform nonclinical testing of the Marburg vaccine

SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 16, 2024) – Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) conducted early tests of the investigational Marburg vaccine now being deployed to Rwanda to help control the outbreak that began in late September.

The vaccine candidate is being developed by Sabin Vaccine Institute, which delivered 1,700 doses in two separate shipments to Rwanda – the first within nine days of the outbreak being declared.

As of October 15, the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda has infected 62 people and caused 15 deaths, according to the Rwandan Ministry of Health. Marburg is part of the same family of viruses as Ebola virus, and similarly causes hemorrhagic fever and has a fatality rate of up to 88%.

“We are grateful that our partners at Sabin have been working to develop a candidate Marburg vaccine so that we can protect people from this very deadly virus,” says Ricardo Carrion, Jr., Ph.D., the Director of Maximum Containment Contract Research at Texas Biomed. “We are proud to have played a role in the studies needed to advance the vaccine to human trials.”

Early tests demonstrating safety and efficacy were completed at Texas Biomed and elsewhere in animal models, which are essential before any vaccine or therapy progresses to clinical trials in humans.

There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for Marburg virus. Sabin’s vaccine candidate is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials in Kenya and Uganda. At the request of Rwandan officials, Sabin mobilized quickly to provide vaccine doses and partner with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre to launch a rapid response Phase 2 open-label study there. The aim is to vaccinate adults at the highest risk, beginning with healthcare providers, according to a Sabin press release. Rwanda health officials report more than 770 vaccine doses have been administered as of October 15.

“Infectious disease outbreaks are unfortunately occurring more frequently. Texas Biomed is committed to developing countermeasures like vaccines and antibody therapies proactively, to ensure they are ready to be deployed as quickly as possible when an outbreak is declared,” says Cory Hallam, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Applied Science and Innovation at Texas Biomed. “We applaud our partners for the global cooperation that has seen them launch important clinical trials so quickly after the outbreak was confirmed.”

Research and development of the Sabin vaccine candidate have been largely funded by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Sabin also acknowledges NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center and its manufacturing partner, ReiThera, for their continued support.  

More Information

Marburg vaccine tested at Texas Biomed moves to Phase 2 clinical trials

Sabin Vaccine Institute Delivers Marburg Vaccines to Combat Outbreak in Rwanda

Funding information:

This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary under Contract No. 75A5011900055 and 75A50123C00010.

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About Texas Biomed

Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally, and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy.

Dr. Erika McAfee joins Texas Biomed’s veterinary team 

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Dr. Erika McAfee has joined the veterinary team at Texas Biomed

Even after spending years as an avid Animal Planet viewer, Erika McAfee, MLAS, D.V.M., had no idea she would end up being inspired to work with primates in biomedical research.  

“I always enjoyed biology and animal science, but I started out thinking I wanted to do human orthopedic medicine. After completing a human medical program, I realized it wasn’t for me,” says Dr. McAfee. “I decided I really wanted to work with primates, and throughout my clinical years in vet school, I focused as much as possible on primate medicine.” 

Following a three-week externship at Texas Biomed earlier in 2024, Dr. McAfee officially joined the team as Faculty Veterinarian in August. 

Prior to her time at Texas Biomed, Dr. McAfee served as a postdoctoral fellow and laboratory animal medicine veterinary resident at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, CA. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, a Master of Laboratory Animal Science from Drexel College of Medicine, and a Bachelor of Science from Spelman College. 

Dr. McAfee says that people are intrigued when they hear that she works with primates. 

“Everyone assumes that because I’m a veterinarian I work with cats and dogs. The fact that I work with primates is really interesting for a lot of people and I get a chance to educate them about how much care and enrichment our animals receive,” she says. 

During her time as a research assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. McAfee was part of the team that worked on developing the one of the first FDA-approved treatments for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, in which bone gradually replaces muscle and connective tissue.  

“The work was very rewarding, but human medical research isn’t where I’m supposed to be,” says Dr. McAfee. “I am very interested in translational medicine, which is what drew me to working with primates.” 

Translational science aims to improve the process of turning research into health solutions, primarily with the help of animal models. These models allow researchers to study disease mechanisms and evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential treatments prior to advancing to studies in humans.  

Dr. McAfee, who completed her residency training at Salk Institute for Biological Studies, estimates that 95% of her clinical case management was focused on marmosets. Texas Biomed is home to the largest colony of marmosets dedicated to aging and infectious diseases research in the nation. 

“Coming to Texas Biomed, I’ve been excited to work with vastly different species, especially the baboons, which I am looking forward to getting to know better,” she says. 

Texas Biomed’s Attending Veterinarian Kathryn Shelton, D.V.M., Ph.D., says, “Dr. McAfee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Texas Biomed. Her expertise and dedication to veterinary medicine will be invaluable to our institution and we are excited to have her on board and look forward to her contributions.” 

Promising TB therapy safe for patients with HIV

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Texas Biomed researchers complete critical preclinical study to advance potential tuberculosis therapy toward human clinical trials

SAN ANTONIO (September 27, 2024) – A therapy showing promise to help control tuberculosis (TB) does not interfere with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), according to research by Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed).

“This is an important hurdle that this host-directed therapy had to clear in order to help patients battling both HIV and TB,” said Texas Biomed Professor Smriti Mehra, Ph.D., who led the study recently published in the peer-reviewed journal JCI Insight.

TB is responsible for more than 1.3 million deaths worldwide every year. Dr. Mehra and her team have been investigating a therapy currently used in cancer as a potential treatment for patients with drug-resistant TB and/or comorbid HIV. While many cases of TB can be controlled with months of antibiotics, the infection can return in people who are immunocompromised as a result of HIV. Now that cART is so effective at controlling HIV, a resurging TB infection can often be deadly to those individuals.

Dr. Mehra is studying a host-directed therapy that blocks or inhibits an immune system protein naturally found in the body. The protein, called IDO (short for Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase), normally suppresses the immune system, preventing it from causing excessive inflammation and organ damage. Inhibiting IDO for short intervals of time has led to more successful cancer treatments. Dr. Mehra’s team has previously shown the same approach improves control of TB in conjunction with antibiotics.

This current study in nonhuman primates with both TB and simian immunodeficiency virus, the nonhuman primate version of HIV, showed the IDO inhibitor does not interfere with cART.

Images of cART and cART + IDO Inhibitor
Researchers compare the impacts of cART by itself versus cART plus the IDO inhibitor in lung tissue of nonhuman primates with both TB and SIV. Left: Following just cART, significantly more IDO is detected in pink. Right: With the IDO inhibitor and cART, more immune cells recruited to fight bacteria are observed inside the granuloma, a hallmark structure of TB. Specifically, CD4+ T cells are in green and CD68 proteins expressed by macrophages are in red.

“There was no increase in viral load in animals given cART and the IDO inhibitor, compared with animals only given cART, proving the inhibitor is safe to give to patients with HIV,” Dr. Mehra said.

Now that the researchers have shown the inhibitor works well in conjunction with TB antibiotics and with cART separately, they plan to study how it performs when given in conjunction with both antibiotics and cART together. This treatment regimen is standard for patients with both HIV and active TB. Dr. Mehra said that longer-term studies are also needed to confirm there are no unintended side effects.

The IDO inhibitor is already FDA-approved for use in patients with cancer, which shortens the path to potential approval for patients with TB/HIV when compared with developing a brand-new drug.

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About Texas Biomed

Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally, and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy.

Monoclonal antibody shows protection against all COVID variants

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Antibody developed in part by Associate Professor Greg Ippolito, Ph.D., works against a wide range of COVID-19 variants and related coronaviruses, including past, present and potentially future strains.

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 5, 2024) — A monoclonal antibody appears effective at neutralizing the numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2, as well as related viruses in animals that could pose a threat if they were to begin spreading in people. The antibody, called SC27, was recently described in Cell Reports Medicine.

The finding opens the possibility of broader, more effective treatments to work against current and future COVID variants.

Monoclonal antibody SC27 was identified, developed and provisionally patented by a team of researchers led by Greg Ippolito, Ph.D., who recently joined Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed), from University of Texas at Austin. Other team leaders included Jason Lavinder, Ph.D., at UT and Ralph Baric, Ph.D., at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Other COVID-19 antibodies have been rendered ineffective as SARS-CoV-2 has evolved over the past several years,” says Dr. Ippolito, an Associate Professor. “Our new study suggests the virus is less likely to escape this treatment because SC27 targets and attaches to multiple parts of the virus’s spike protein, including sections that are not mutating as frequently.”

SC27 appears to work in two ways: it blocks the ACE2 binding site, which the virus uses to bind to, enter and infect cells. It also binds to a hidden or “cryptic” site on the underside of the spike protein that is largely unchanged or “conserved” between variants, which means SC27 can broadly recognize variants and related viruses. This is critical because if an antibody’s shape does not match enough with a virus – like two puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit – the antibody can’t effectively neutralize the virus and the virus sneaks by the body’s immune defense system.

Illustration of monoclonal antibody SC27 attaching to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Like two hands working together to form a tight grip, monoclonal antibody SC27 attaches to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (purple) using both of its binding domains (orange and yellow). This may explain, in part, the exquisite potency of SC27 and its ability to protect against all tested COVID-19 variants.
Credit: Greg Ippolito, Ph.D.

The researchers tested SC27 against 12 viruses, from the original SARS-CoV-2 to currently circulating variants, as well as related SARS-1 and several other coronaviruses found in bats and pangolins. The antibody was effective against all of them in a petri dish and protected mice against both variants tested.

“This makes it broader and more effective than any other monoclonal antibody reported in scientific literature to date and the former FDA-approved cocktails,” says Dr. Ippolito, adding the caveat that SC27 still needs to be tested in human clinical trials.

The team is looking to collaborate with industry to further develop the SC27 monoclonal antibody treatment, which could potentially benefit immunocompromised patients who are unable to get vaccines. It also could serve as an emergency treatment during future outbreaks of new variants or coronaviruses. Next steps would include preclinical studies in larger animal models, including nonhuman primates, which are the gold standard to evaluate how complete immune systems respond to a treatment before safely moving to human clinical trials.

Notably, SC27 was found in individuals following vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Previously, this type of “class 1/4” antibody – which attaches to two distinct areas or “epitopes” of the spike protein – was only detected following natural infection from SARS-1.

“This is fantastic news that vaccines can prompt the generation of these more robust and effective antibodies,” explains Dr. Ippolito. “It means that future vaccine development can be tailored to generate these antibodies and have a clear metric for measuring which vaccines will be most effective.”

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About Texas Biomed

Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and applied innovation, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally, and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy. For more information, visit txbiomed.org.

Texas Biomed secures National Institutes of Health contract

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Stock Image

SAN ANTONIO (September 4, 2024) – Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) has secured a contract from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

The NIH award is part of a multiple award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract program. The Base IDIQ contract has a seven-year performance period and supports a portfolio of research services for recurring needs.

“The importance of this is immense and represents years of dedicated work and proven strength in helping develop responses to emerging and re-emerging local and global disease threats,” said Larry Schlesinger, M.D., President/CEO. “Texas Biomed has built a reputation for saving time, money and lives – all of which are critically important to make infectious disease countermeasures available before they are needed, rather than reactively when it’s too late.”

It was secured by Texas Biomed’s Applied Science and Innovation (ASI) unit, which has been significantly expanding contract research, innovation and commercialization at the Institute.

Texas Biomed was awarded three out of the four task areas for delivering preclinical models of infectious diseases supporting NIAID strategic pandemic-preparedness capabilities. Such research provides key insights into ways to better understand, treat and ultimately prevent infectious diseases.

“[These base IDIQ awards] demonstrate Texas Biomed’s ability to compete for important contracts, and further advances our standing nationally and internationally as a premier institution that delivers the quality science necessary to advance therapies and vaccines to market,” said Cory Hallam, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of ASI.

Along with Hallam, co-investigators on the new contract includes Ricardo Carrion, Ph.D., Director of Texas Biomed’s Maximum Containment Contract Research (MCCR) group and Corinna Ross, Ph.D., Director of Texas Biomed’s Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC). Additional Texas Biomed researchers will join the team on specific task area studies as they are awarded.

The NIH/NIAID award enables work developing and bridging animal research study data to humans to provide evidence of therapy and vaccine effectiveness. This is key in infectious disease responses and the development of medical countermeasures when conducting human clinical trials is not feasible

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About Texas Biomedical Research Institute

Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy. Learn more at txbiomed.org.

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N93024D00022.