# CORE D:  Animal Models and In Vivo Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $3,193,054

## Abstract

In vivo efficacy testing is essential for the down-selection, evaluation, and development of potent
and effective medical countermeasures (MCMs), especially given that many aspects of viral
replication and pathogenesis cannot be faithfully recapitulated in vitro. Core D is responsible for
providing PROVIDENT Research Projects 1, 2, 3, and 4 animal model testing support required
for the validation of newly identified host factors (Project 1; P1) and novel MCMs (Project 2-4;
P2-4) against hantaviruses, nairoviruses, and paramyxoviruses. First, we will test in vitro down-
selected candidates against family-specific prototype viruses, Andes virus (ANDV), Crimean
Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), and Menangle virus (MenPV), respectively. To meet
these objectives, animal models will be developed when unavailable and used in conjunction with
widely accepted models. Following, PROVIDENT products will be sprint tested against outgroup
hanta-, nairo-, and paramyxo-viruses, Sin Nombre virus (SNV) or Hantaan virus (HTNV), Hazara
virus (HAZV), and Nipah virus (NiV), respectively. Core D will also support the development of
animal-based tools, including genome-edited murine and Syrian hamsters that will be used to
generate novel rodent models of disease and interrogate fundamental viral-host factor
interactions. In collaboration with P2, P3, Core C, and Core E, Core D will also assist in the
generation of camelid variable heavy chain only antibodies (VHHs), through alpaca immunizations
with RNA/NLP and protein immunogens. These nanobodies will serve as important tools to
identify critical functional surfaces in viral proteins that can inform immunogen engineering. In
addition to animal model development and rodent efficacy studies, Core D will support
immunogenicity testing in non-human primates to assess lead mRNA vaccine candidates and
provide supporting data for pre-clinical or phase I trials. In sum, the support and scientific rigor
provided by Core D will enable PROVIDENT to identify, develop, and test robust MCM against
hantaviruses, nairoviruses, and paramyxoviruses in service of the grand goal of developing
comprehensive vaccine and therapeutic antibody blueprints against these emerging RNA viruses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10863596
- **Project number:** 1U19AI181977-01
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Courtney Cohen
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $3,193,054
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10863596

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10863596, CORE D:  Animal Models and In Vivo Evaluation Core (1U19AI181977-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10863596. Licensed CC0.

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