# An Advanced Vaccine Candidate To Prevent Zika Virus Infection

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $1,093,491

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that is currently spreading throughout the Americas at such a rate that the
World Health Organization has declared this a public health emergency of international concern. ZIKV is
particularly dangerous among women since infection during pregnancy has been associated with fetal
abnormalities including microcephaly and severe neurological disorders. Although a handful of vaccine
candidates are under different stages of evaluation, there is no licensed vaccine available to combat this
epidemic. Previously, we have developed inactivated vaccines that have shown efficacy in a number of
preclinical models and in particular, protection against other flavivirus-associated diseases such as West Nile
virus encephalitis and viscerotropic yellow fever. Here, we provide preliminary data on an advanced ZIKV
vaccine candidate that induces strong neutralizing antibody responses against geographically distinct strains of
ZIKV and protects against lethal disease in an immunodeficient mouse model. Based on these promising
results, we have assembled a team of investigators with the expertise and resources necessary to prepare
clinical-grade ZIKV vaccine suitable for Phase I trials. This project incorporates many of the essential vaccine
development goals listed in RFA-AI-16-034 including evaluation of safety, toxicity, and immunogenicity;
evaluation of efficacy in appropriate challenge models; optimization of production methods/process
development; quality assurance/quality controls for analysis and characterization of vaccine components
including purification, identity, and stability at optimal and elevated storage temperatures; and cGMP-compliant
manufacturing of vaccine material suitable for completing all applicable IND-enabling preclinical studies. Upon
completion of these objectives, we will have cGMP-grade vaccine material suitable for initiation of Phase I
clinical trials and an opportunity to reduce the burden of ZIKV-associated disease and infant microcephaly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9932330
- **Project number:** 5R01AI132186-04
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK K SLIFKA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,093,491
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-08 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9932330

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9932330, An Advanced Vaccine Candidate To Prevent Zika Virus Infection (5R01AI132186-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9932330. Licensed CC0.

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