Saw this on the 'net from the UK and wanted to pass it on:
Result of KHV Study
The Board of Henderson Morley, the AIM quoted biotechnology company, is pleased
to announce the results of the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) Vaccine field studies that
have now been completed in a sub-contract research facility.
Highlights
* Henderson Morley's KHV vaccine field study has produced positive results
* In two of the vaccine groups 96% and 93% of the vaccinated fish survived the
study and remained healthy
* Two successful vaccine candidates are now being developed further with a view to
presenting these candidates to Schering Plough Animal Health
* KHV disease is classed as a 'Notifiable-Disease' by the World Organisation of
Animal Health. KHV is therefore a pathogen of growing economic and environmental
importance
About the Study
In this study, eight different vaccine candidates were studied. These candidates
were formulated to examine the effects of different doses of vaccine, addition
of purified virus particles, formulation of candidates with different adjuvants
(components of the vaccine that boost immune responses), and different
combinations of adjuvants. Adjuvants, that the Directors believe, have never
been used in fish vaccines before, were also examined.
Ten groups of Koi carp were held in isolated tanks each with individual water
supplies, of which eight groups were vaccinated with candidate vaccines. One
group received no vaccine (negative control), and another group were survivors
of prior KHV infection, (positive controls).
Results
The unvaccinated negative control group died from KHV infection, as did the fish
in some of the unsuccessful low dose vaccine groups. The Board is very pleased
that in two of the vaccine groups, 96% and 93% of the vaccinated fish survived,
and remained healthy following the virus challenge and for the month following
the virus challenge. Other vaccine groups had 76% and 79% survival; however
these candidates are not being selected for further development.
Vaccine Candidates
The candidates used in this study utilise inactivated virus, so pose no threat
of infection either to the vaccinated fish or other fish in the same tank or
pond. The candidates comprises proprietary methods and techniques developed
in-house at the Birmingham (UK) laboratories and do not have PREPS or
L-particles in their manufacture. New patents are in preparation to protect the
current lead candidates.
KHV
KHV is a serious viral infection that infects all species of carp, including the
high value and in-bred ornamental fish, Koi carp. The virus was first isolated
in 1996, and has now been detected in over 20 countries. Consequently, in 2006
the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) gave KHV disease
'Notifiable Disease' status. As a Notifiable Disease there is a legal obligation
to report any suspicion of a clinical outbreak of Koi Herpes Virus disease to
the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI).KHV is therefore a pathogen of growing
economic and environmental importance.
A single fish infected by KHV may rapidly spread the disease and this often
kills between 90% and 100% of fish in the infected pond or tank, with the
potential to devastate entire fish farms. The virus is temperature sensitive and
is mainly active in warm weather conditions. There is currently no available
anti-viral treatment or vaccine licensed in the EU, US or Japan.
A particular problem with KHV, which is similar to other herpes viruses in
humans and animals, is the ability to cause latent infection. Once a fish has
been infected, or exposed to the live virus, the infection may recur (usually in
response to stressors such as high water temperature), without further exposure
to the virus. Once infected, fish may also shed the virus into a pond, even in
the absence of symptoms.
Live virus challenge
Approximately two months after receiving the vaccines (to allow the fish to
develop immune responses), fish were challenged with live Koi Herpes virus that
had been characterised by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technique used in
molecular biology for creating multiple copies of DNA from a sample which
results in a very accurate diagnosis and typing of virus infections.
Further development
The two successful vaccine candidates are now being developed further with a
view to presenting these candidates to Schering Plough Animal Health under the
terms of the development and option to license agreement as soon as possible.
Chairman Andrew Knight commented "We are extremely pleased with the results of
this study which demonstrate a level of efficacy for our vaccine technology and
reinforces our decision to transform Henderson Morley into a pure play vaccine
company by 2011. We look forward to bringing further news on this exciting
development in due course. "
Result of KHV Study
The Board of Henderson Morley, the AIM quoted biotechnology company, is pleased
to announce the results of the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) Vaccine field studies that
have now been completed in a sub-contract research facility.
Highlights
* Henderson Morley's KHV vaccine field study has produced positive results
* In two of the vaccine groups 96% and 93% of the vaccinated fish survived the
study and remained healthy
* Two successful vaccine candidates are now being developed further with a view to
presenting these candidates to Schering Plough Animal Health
* KHV disease is classed as a 'Notifiable-Disease' by the World Organisation of
Animal Health. KHV is therefore a pathogen of growing economic and environmental
importance
About the Study
In this study, eight different vaccine candidates were studied. These candidates
were formulated to examine the effects of different doses of vaccine, addition
of purified virus particles, formulation of candidates with different adjuvants
(components of the vaccine that boost immune responses), and different
combinations of adjuvants. Adjuvants, that the Directors believe, have never
been used in fish vaccines before, were also examined.
Ten groups of Koi carp were held in isolated tanks each with individual water
supplies, of which eight groups were vaccinated with candidate vaccines. One
group received no vaccine (negative control), and another group were survivors
of prior KHV infection, (positive controls).
Results
The unvaccinated negative control group died from KHV infection, as did the fish
in some of the unsuccessful low dose vaccine groups. The Board is very pleased
that in two of the vaccine groups, 96% and 93% of the vaccinated fish survived,
and remained healthy following the virus challenge and for the month following
the virus challenge. Other vaccine groups had 76% and 79% survival; however
these candidates are not being selected for further development.
Vaccine Candidates
The candidates used in this study utilise inactivated virus, so pose no threat
of infection either to the vaccinated fish or other fish in the same tank or
pond. The candidates comprises proprietary methods and techniques developed
in-house at the Birmingham (UK) laboratories and do not have PREPS or
L-particles in their manufacture. New patents are in preparation to protect the
current lead candidates.
KHV
KHV is a serious viral infection that infects all species of carp, including the
high value and in-bred ornamental fish, Koi carp. The virus was first isolated
in 1996, and has now been detected in over 20 countries. Consequently, in 2006
the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) gave KHV disease
'Notifiable Disease' status. As a Notifiable Disease there is a legal obligation
to report any suspicion of a clinical outbreak of Koi Herpes Virus disease to
the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI).KHV is therefore a pathogen of growing
economic and environmental importance.
A single fish infected by KHV may rapidly spread the disease and this often
kills between 90% and 100% of fish in the infected pond or tank, with the
potential to devastate entire fish farms. The virus is temperature sensitive and
is mainly active in warm weather conditions. There is currently no available
anti-viral treatment or vaccine licensed in the EU, US or Japan.
A particular problem with KHV, which is similar to other herpes viruses in
humans and animals, is the ability to cause latent infection. Once a fish has
been infected, or exposed to the live virus, the infection may recur (usually in
response to stressors such as high water temperature), without further exposure
to the virus. Once infected, fish may also shed the virus into a pond, even in
the absence of symptoms.
Live virus challenge
Approximately two months after receiving the vaccines (to allow the fish to
develop immune responses), fish were challenged with live Koi Herpes virus that
had been characterised by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a technique used in
molecular biology for creating multiple copies of DNA from a sample which
results in a very accurate diagnosis and typing of virus infections.
Further development
The two successful vaccine candidates are now being developed further with a
view to presenting these candidates to Schering Plough Animal Health under the
terms of the development and option to license agreement as soon as possible.
Chairman Andrew Knight commented "We are extremely pleased with the results of
this study which demonstrate a level of efficacy for our vaccine technology and
reinforces our decision to transform Henderson Morley into a pure play vaccine
company by 2011. We look forward to bringing further news on this exciting
development in due course. "
