While the hantavirus poses many questions, scientists have been conducting research for several years to find a vaccine or treatment. In the pharmaceutical industry, Moderna is collaborating notably with the University of Medicine in Korea and the US Army.
What about the research against hantavirus? Many questions remain unanswered at this stage regarding this pathogen, but scientists have been working on developing a vaccine or treatment against these rodent-transmitted viruses for several years.
Three years ago, virologists from Maryland developed a DNA vaccine that showed promising results in phase 1, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. However, the vaccination schedule seems a bit heavy as at least three to four injections would be required.
Moderna’s stock surges
From the pharmaceutical labs side, Moderna is also conducting preliminary research on a hantavirus vaccine, in collaboration with the US Army Medical Research Institute. Additionally, they have been working since 2023 in partnership with the University of Medicine in Korea to develop an mRNA vaccine, the same technology platform that performed well during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After announcing their ongoing research last Thursday, Moderna’s stock jumped 12% in a few hours on Friday, May 8th, surpassing $56 at noon from $49 the previous Thursday evening. It even reached $58.62 on Monday, May 11th, at 9:30 am before dropping to $53.76 on Tuesday, May 12th, at midday.
Institut Pasteur follows the trail of monoclonal antibodies
In France, Institut Pasteur is committed to finding a treatment rather than a vaccine per se. Professor Olivier Schwartz, a virologist and head of the virus and immunity unit at the institution, stated on BFMTV on Monday, May 11th, that a team “was able to develop monoclonal antibodies”, adding that it was “a potentially interesting therapeutic tool”.
“But we are still in a period of preclinical trials, so we are far from commercializing this kind of product,” he warned.
It is challenging to conduct trials quickly when the number of reported cases is limited: the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates between 10,000 and 100,000 cases of hantavirus infection each year worldwide.
Therefore, “due to the invisible and sporadic nature of hantavirus epidemics, there is currently no approved treatment or vaccine,” noted the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) in a statement released this Tuesday. The federation regrets that “significant gaps persist” in clinical research on hantaviruses. They advocate for “coordinated action between the private and public sectors to catalyze the necessary financing and policies to encourage innovation in antiviral R&D.”
