Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus of the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, and is typically endemic in Central and West Africa.

In recent weeks of May 2022 monkeypox cases have been reported globally; with confirmed cases concentrated in Europe and the US. The identification of confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox with no direct travel links to an endemic area represents a highly unusual event. With an incubation period of 10 to 14 days many more cases can be expected over the weeks and months. Despite mild disease progression in most healthy individuals symptoms can be severe in immunocompromised patients, children, and pregnant women. There are no therapeutics, and early detection of infection becomes crucial for containment.

Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA), manufactured as a smallpox vaccine, provides protection against monkeypox. However, cross-protective immunity from smallpox vaccination will be limited to older persons, since populations under the age of 40 or 50 years no longer benefit from the protection afforded by prior smallpox vaccination campaigns.

The Native Antigen Company have moved to develop a series of antigens to support research into this disease.  Four core proteins P4A, P4B, VP8 and 39kDa protein, and the major envelope protein F13L are now in early development, and will be commercially available in the summer of 2022.

• P4A (A11L) is the most abundant protein in the virion, and will be presented as a precursor, consisting of the 62kDa peptide and the 23kDa protein. In vivo P4A undergoes proteolytic cleavage by the I7 protease. During the transition from immature to mature virion.
• P4B (A4L) is another major component of the virion core and will be presented as the mature protein without its propeptide.
• VP8 (L4R, P25K) is a major structural core DNA-binding protein and will be presented as the mature protein without its propeptide.
• 39kDa protein (A5L) is an immunodominant protein expressed late during infection and is present in the viral core.
• F13L is a critical component in the production of wrapped virions which is required for cell-to-cell spread of the virus, is a major envelop antigen of extracellular virions and is a target for phospholipase inhibitors like tecovirimat. This protein will have its two cysteine palmitoylation sites changed to alanine.

Please contact us to register your interest and book pre-release orders.