MVA-BN®
MVA-BN® is a further attenuated
version of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus, which is
itself a highly attenuated strain of the poxvirus Chorioallantois
Vaccinia virus Ankara (CVA). MVA-BN® is under clinical
evaluation in a total of 16 completed or ongoing trials as a
smallpox vaccine (IMVAMUNE®). More than 3,600 individuals,
including nearly 1,000 immunocompromised, have been vaccinated with
MVA-BN®-based vaccines, showing the virus displays high
immunogenicity and, at the same time, no serious adverse
reactions.
Furthermore, recombinant
MVA-BN®-based vaccine candidates have undergone clinical Phase
1 and Phase 2 trials in breast and prostate cancer, as well as
various infectious diseases.
An advantage of MVA-BN® is the
virus' inability to replicate in a vaccinated individual. The
replication cycle is blocked at a very late stage, which ensures
that new viruses are not generated and released. This means that
the virus cannot spread in the vaccinated person and none of the
side effects normally associated with replicating vaccinia viruses
have been seen with MVA-BN®.
In studies with MVA-BN® in
immunocompromised individuals, the vaccine has also been well
tolerated and has shown an attractive immunogenicity profile,
making MVA-BN®-based vaccines suitable for the development of
vaccines for immunocompromised populations.
