Inovio says Zika vaccine shows response in mice (updated)
17/02/2016 12:26
(Adds details, shares)
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Drug developer Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc
INO.O said preclinical testing of its vaccine for Zika virus
induced robust and durable response in mice and it expected to
test the vaccine in humans before the end of 2016.
The company's shares rose 11.1 percent to $7.30 in premarket
trading on Wednesday.
Zika, whose symptoms include mild fever and rash, has been
linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil.
There is no proven vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus,
a close cousin of the viruses that cause dengue and chikungunya.
Inovio said on Wednesday that mice given its vaccine showed
development of antibodies and generated response from T-cells,
which play an important role in immunizing the body.
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An estimated 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms,
making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have
been infected.
Inovio said it was developing the vaccine with GeneOne Life
Sciences Inc 011000.KS and academic collaborators.
(Reporting by Amrutha Penumudi in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti
Pandey)
((penumudi.amrutha@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223
8780 outside U.S. +91 80 6749 4486; Reuters Messaging:
penumudi.amrutha.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: HEALTH ZIKA/INOVIO PHARMA