CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF RIVAX VACCINE FOR RICIN

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Ricin is one of the most potent biological toxins known, and is classified by the CDC as a category B biothreat. Much attention has been recently focused on the potential threat of actual ricin use. Since post exposure treatment is ineffective unless administered within a narrow window of time, vaccination may be the only ways to prevent lethality and damage to tissue caused by ricin. We have developed a safe and effective vaccine (RiVax(tm)) based on a recombinant mutant that eliminates the toxicities of the A chain. A robust, high yield and scalable process for manufacturing the vaccine has been achieved. Based on preclinical safety and efficacy data, a small Phase I trial was initiated to test the tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine in human volunteers. We have characterized adjuvant formulations of the vaccine which will be tested next in volunteers. The vaccine has passed the initial development hurdles. The purpose of this project is to continue development of this established candidate. Specifically, we will conduct long term stability studies of the protein in solution and adsorbed to aluminum salts adjuvant. We will assess the conformational aspects of the protein and relate them to potency. Secondly, we aim to demonstrate that the vaccine will generate antibodies in rabbits and humans that can passively confer protection to rabbits after aerosol or oral ricin exposure. The use of an additional animal species other than mice will lay the groundwork for pivotal animal efficacy trials which must be conducted in place of human trials (under the FDA animal rule). Thirdly, we will conduct GLP preclinical toxicology and efficacy trials in mice and rabbits to support the clinical evaluation an adjuvanted vaccine. Our goal is to obtain several thousand doses of released vaccine that has been evaluated for stability. And finally, we intend to perform the regulatory work necessary for IND submission. This proposal represents a critical step in the further development of Rivax towards additional clinical trials and ultimately registration and marketing. There is a very real worldwide threat for the use of ricin in bioterrorism. A safe and effective FDA-approved vaccine is urgently needed for military personnel and, in the event of a domestic attack, for first responders and perhaps for the general public. We have completed Phase I of an efficacy trial with the candidate Rivax vaccine in nonhuman primates. Animals (n=6) were immunized (prime, two boosts) with 100 ug of the vaccine adsorbed to alhydrogel or sham-vaccinated with adjuvant only (n=3). Serum antibodies (alpha ricin IgG) and neutralizing capacity of antibodies were performed by ELISA and ricin cytotoxicity assay, respectively. All animals were then challenged by aerosol to a lethal dose (1 LD/50) of ricin toxin. Results indicated poor survival in the immunized group (1/6, 16%) and 100% lethality in the sham-immunized controls (0/3). The results of this study suggest that, although alpha ricin IgG endpoint titers were relatively high in immunized animals (2.0E+04), the neutralizing capacity to ricin holotoxin was relatively low as shown in the in vitro neutralization assay performed in conjunction with the antibody ELISAs. In addition, antibody production and kinetics showed a peak +14 days post prime immunization, with no definable memory response at either of the immunizing boosts. This result suggests that protection may only be conferred when the quality of the antibodies match the quantity produced in vivo. The second phase of this study is ongoing and will incorporate a variation of RiVax immunizing doses and schedule which may stimulate a memory response in the immunized animals and increase the overall protective capacity of the candidate vaccine.