Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in partnership with Venture Technologies Sdn Bhd (VT) and Bavarian Nordic (BN) have genetically engineered MVA (a modified vaccinia virus, known to be a safe smallpox vaccine) to contain genes from dengue virus. Antigens from dengue virus are then produced by recombinant MVA. Various recombinant MVA constructs have been generated which express different dengue virus antigens. These antigens are highly immunogenic and elicit antibodies able to neutralize dengue viruses in vitro. Three rabbits immunized with recombinant MVA-dengue had a strong immune response to dengue NS1. The titre of the antibody response for the rabbits immunized with MVA-dengue was 1:100,000. Immunization of mice with a liquid and a freeze-dried formulation showed a good response against Dengue 2 with also a cross-reactive response against other dengue serotypes.
USPTO Patent No. 6,869,793 B2
