Live Virus Monkeypox Vaccine Candidate Plans Early-Stage Study in Africa

New Jersey-based Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. announced today a collaboration with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to conduct a Phase 1 clinical study in Kenya to develop TNX-8011 as a vaccine to protect people against monkeypox and smallpox.

This early-stage study is expected to start in the first half of 2023.

Tonix has previously reported positive data from a monkeypox challenge clinical study in non-human primates.

Tonix's TNX-801 was synthesized based on the sequence of the 1976 natural isolate Mongolian horsepox clone MNR-763.

Molecular analysis of DNA sequences suggests that TNX-801 is closer than modern smallpox vaccines to the vaccine discovered and disseminated by Dr. Edward Jenner.

Professor Matilu Mwau, Ph.D., of KEMRI, stated in a press release issued on July 28, 2022, "The recent global outbreak of monkeypox has exemplified the need to be prepared with a vaccine that is efficacious, that provides for durable immunity and that blocks forward transmission."

"Tonix's live virus vaccine technology is designed to achieve these outcomes."

"The West African strain, which has recently spread outside of Africa, has a low fatality rate, but the Central African strain is reportedly fatal in approximately 10% of infected individuals."

"We want Kenya to be prepared with a vaccine that provides protection and can be widely deployed without requiring sterile injections or ultra-cold shipping and storage."

TNX-801 was developed as part of a research collaboration between Tonix and Professor David Evans, Ph.D., and Ryan Noyce, Ph.D., the Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta.

Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola (which causes smallpox), vaccinia (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.

As of July 28, 2022, the U.S. government is actively distributing the Jynneos® vaccine in the USA. Additional monkeypox vaccine news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Monkeypox.

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