Unmet Need: Globally, there are more than 213,000,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including more than 4,448,000 deaths reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) (WHO, 2021) by August 25th, 2021. The number of cases and deaths increase each day. Various animal models have been used to study COVID-19 with varying susceptibility due to species-specific differences in the ACE2 receptor, the primary binding site of SARS-CoV-2 on infected cells (Johanesen, et al., 2020). Currently, there is no comprehensive mouse model that fully represents all aspects of COVID-19 in humans (Muñoz-Fontela, et al., 2020). As COVID-19 spreads, SARS-CoV-2 mutations continue to arise, driving enhanced virulence and transmissibility (CDC, 2021). To adequately respond to this present threat and prepare for future outbreaks, there is a strong need for dynamic as well as an adaptable murine models that facilitate critical research needed for pathogenesis studies and the development of vaccines and therapeutic agents in biosafety level 2 facilities.
Technology Overview Inventors at Johns Hopkins have utilized the N501Y SARS-CoV-2 variant to engineer species-switched vesicular stomatitis virus (VsV)-based pseudovirions capable of high-level infection in the nasopharynx and lungs of mice. These pseudoviruses carry three modifications to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The unique combination spike mutations and incorporation into pseudoviruses permits robust COVID-19 infection modeling in commonly used animal model strains. This technology permits researchers to overcome major road blocks in studying COVID-19 in the regular biosafety level 2 laboratory.
Stage of Development Finalization and ready for use in animal model.
Publication Pending.
