Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics Presents at World Vaccine Congress on Advantages of Single Peptide Vaccine for Broad Coverage of Human and Avian Influenza Viruses

BETHESDA, Md. & GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics LLC, a One Health company developing vaccines and diagnostic tools for global public health and zoonosis concerns, is presenting a poster at World Vaccine Congress all day April 2-4, 2024 on a mice study that examined LHNVD-110, a novel, unconjugated single peptide vaccine comprised of multiple epitopes to broadly target human and influenza viruses. World Vaccine Congress is taking place April 1-4 in Washington, DC.

Results from the poster show that LHNVD-110 generated broadly reactive antibodies to human and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses while neutralizing seasonal and pandemic influenza strains. This data mirrors previous studies with LHNVD-105, a dual peptide vaccines containing the same epitopes. Using a single peptide provides a more cost-effective and easily scalable approach to such a universal influenza vaccine. While traditional influenza vaccines protect against specific strains predicted for circulation during the upcoming flu season, this often leads to mismatches and variable effectiveness. That is why using peptide-based vaccines with broad strain coverage may offer useful strategies towards preventing influenza, no matter the strain.

“We are studying a single peptide universal influenza vaccine because we believe it could deliver a cost-effect strategy towards formulation and manufacturing, and provide immunity against human and avian influenzas,” said Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics CEO Gerald W. Fischer, MD. “Longhorn was founded to develop vaccines and diagnostic tools to prevent the avian influenza of the early 2000’s, and we are now applying scientific insights from the last 15 years to develop a universal flu vaccine. We are encouraged by the data that shows LHNVD-110 works as well or better than LHNVD-105 in generating neutralizing antibodies against highly infectious strains of influenza, suggesting the potential to provide longer term immunity over seasonal vaccines. We are in the process of expediting IND-enabling studies of LHNVD-110 to prepare for human clinical trials.”

In this study, Longhorn examined mice that were immunized intramuscularly with a low dose (2 µg) and high-dose (20 or 40 µg) of LHNVD-110, an unconjugated composite influenza peptide vaccine with multiple highly conserved epitopes of HA, NA, and matrix (M1/M2/M2e), including a universal T cell epitope. LHNVD-110 is also formulated with the AddaVax™ adjuvant from InvivoGen. Two booster immunizations were given on days 21 and 35. Isotype specific IgG titers to composite peptides, individual epitopes, and multiple strains of influenza A (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1), and B (Yamagata, Victoria) were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, known as ELISA.

Results included:

• IgG1 antibody response was seen with higher doses (20 and 40 µg) at day 21 post primary immunization and remained steady through day 56.
• IgG1 titers were observed post-boost with low doses of 2 µg.
• Serum antibodies recognized multiple human and avian influenza A and B virus subtypes and showed a dose response.
• Strong neutralizing titers were shown against Group 1 and 2 influenza viruses.

For more information about Longhorn, visit www.LHNVD.com.

About Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics is a One Health company based in Maryland that is developing vaccines and diagnostic tools for worldwide public health concerns and to prevent future pandemics. Since its inception in 2006, Longhorn has focused on developing vaccines and diagnostic tools that can impact a pandemic on a global scale and at all socio-economic levels. Since pandemics flow between humans and animals, Longhorn caters to both in order to surveil, diagnose, prevent and treat the next infectious disease.

Longhorn’s core product, PrimeStore^® Molecular Transport Medium (MTM), is a patented, FDA cleared, state-of-the-art ambient temperature molecular diagnostic collection and transport device that can help governments, global health organizations, and drug manufacturers improve the diagnosis and treatment of highly infectious diseases such as Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). Unlike standard devices for collecting and transporting virus samples, PrimeStore^® MTM is the first molecular transport device that can safely deactivate pathogens and stabilize RNA and DNA, allowing enhanced point of care and ambient temperature transport for laboratory based molecular testing and characterization.

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