Seek Labs Announces Successful Completion of African Swine Fever Virus In Vivo Trial Utilizing CRISPR-based Treatments
2024年5月7日 - 3:18AM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Seek Labs, a healthcare innovations company developing
next-generation point-of-care molecular diagnostic systems and
novel CRISPR-based gene therapies, announced today the successful
completion of a therapeutic trial using innovative CRISPR-based
technologies to target the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in
pigs. The trial, which aimed to replicate and expand an earlier
trial, demonstrated pigs infected with ASFV and treated with Seek
Labs’ CRISPR-based systems survived longer than untreated infected
pigs. Over half of the CRISPR-treated pigs survived beyond the
duration of the trial. Observations and data from both studies
reveal compelling outcomes where treatment prolonged lifespans of
infected pigs compared to control groups.
Innovative CRISPR-Based Treatment Approach
Seek Labs is developing CRISPR-based systems that selectively
target pathogenic diseases, including viral infections. This
approach disrupts viral replication, slows progress of an
infection, and allows treated animals to mount an immune response
that can lead to extended survival and even potentially achieve
curative outcomes.
Dr. Doug Gladue, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in
ASFV research and vaccine development, commented on Seek Labs’
innovative CRISPR-based approach: “I have worked on developing
vaccine candidates for African Swine Fever for over 15 years. With
no available treatments for African Swine Fever, this is a
breakthrough discovery. These are excellent results that indicate
the potential to dramatically increase survivability in pigs
against ASFV infection and treat other animal diseases.”
Seek Labs recognizes the potential of CRISPR to tackle
infectious diseases across species. The company initially
demonstrated their CRISPR-based systems reduce viral load in vivo
using a Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp model infected with White Spot
Syndrome Virus (WSSV). These proof-of-concept studies consistently
achieved approximately 80% reduction in viral load as validated by
qPCR. This outcome correlated with moderate extension in survival
times for CRISPR-treated infected shrimp relative to untreated
infected shrimp and prompted further anti-viral testing of the
CRISPR technology platform.
Seek Labs expanded evaluation of the CRISPR-based systems as
anti-viral modalities in pigs infected with ASFV. To this end, the
company launched independent in vivo trials. Due to strict
regulations in the United States that limit African Swine Fever
(ASF) research, Seek Labs conducted the trials overseas in a region
where ASF is currently endemic in domestic swine.
“CRISPR is a highly adaptable gene targeting technology that
holds enormous potential as a therapeutic modality across genomes,”
said Alison O’Mahony, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Research at
Seek Labs. “Our CRISPR platform leverages Cas systems and
multiplexed gRNAs to selectively target pathogenic genomes.”
African Swine Fever and Its Threat to Global Health
African Swine Fever is a rapidly spreading, highly contagious
viral disease that decimates pig populations worldwide. The
mortality rate for the current pandemic strain of ASF is close to
100%, with infected pigs being symptomatic within days and
typically succumbing to the disease within 2 weeks. No effective
prophylactic or therapeutic strategies are available for ASF, and
the standard management of the disease is currently stringent herd
culling. ASF is a significant threat to the global swine industry,
encompassing domesticated pigs, feral pigs, and wild boars. While
early outbreaks were largely confined to the African sub-continent,
incidents of ASF outbreaks have increased in frequency since
2007.
ASF’s ongoing threat to the pork industry, as well as to food
security worldwide, is substantial, affecting prices, production,
and trade dynamics. Pork is the second most consumed source of
protein globally, making up 36% of all consumed meat. A 2019
outbreak of ASF in China led to the decimation of 40% of all hogs
globally between 2019 and 2022. The 2019 outbreak of ASF is
estimated to have caused a USD $196.2 billion loss to the industry.
Observing the devastating effects of ASF on the global economy and
food supply, Seek Labs began developing an innovative gene therapy
approach involving a viral gene-targeting CRISPR system that could
be deployed as a treatment for ASF.
In Vivo ASFV Trial Design
Seek Labs is advancing two CRISPR-based systems with multiplexed
ASFV-targeting gRNAs for in vivo testing: Candidate SL_1.52, which
comprises a single Cas-encoding construct, and Candidate
SL_1.52/SL_1.45 Combo, which comprises a combination of two
Cas-encoding constructs. Both ASFV-targeting candidates were
administered to infected pigs via intramuscular injections either
as a single dose on one day or as a double dose on two consecutive
days. All pigs were monitored daily for four weeks for the
appearance of infection-related symptoms. Per the study protocol,
pigs were weighed and blood was drawn and tested for the presence
of an ASF virus gene using qPCR, as well as for anti-ASFV
antibodies by ELISA assays.
Trial Outcomes
The trial demonstrated Seek Labs’ CRISPR candidates prolonged
survival in ASFV-infected pigs treated with candidates and achieved
curative outcomes in a subset of the treated pigs. Data show 57% of
the CRISPR-treated cohorts survived longer than the control cohort.
Not only did the CRISPR-treated cohort survive beyond the end of
the trial, but this cohort was observed to be consistently more
physically active and responsive to stimuli throughout the trial.
Data also indicate CRISPR targeting of the ASFV genome decreased
viral load. Taken together, these data suggest ASFV did not lead to
a lethal infection in multiple CRISPR-treated pigs.
Future Research and Studies
All surviving pigs are now being tested for protection against
reinfection. Future studies will also look at efficacy outcomes
following prophylactic versus therapeutic delivery of the
CRISPR-based systems. The company is considering applications in
new viral outbreaks, including ongoing Avian Influenza (H5N1)
outbreaks that have already transmitted from chickens to cows and
impacted food supply in the United States. Seek Labs will continue
pursuing innovative gene editing technologies to expand anti-viral
and disease treatment strategies. Seek Labs’ work represents a
beacon of hope for the swine industry and underscores the
transformative potential of CRISPR-based technology in global
healthcare.
About Seek Labs
Seek Labs is a company united by a vision to advance scientific
discovery and universal solutions. Seek Labs strives to innovate
healthcare solutions that bridge gaps between patients, providers,
and treatments. Seek Labs is united by the passion of our founders
and their shared beliefs that healthcare solutions should empower
individuals and serve their specific needs. Today, Seek Labs is
developing new solutions for point-of-care diagnostics and
CRISPR-based pharmaceutical technologies that have the potential to
revolutionize the detection and treatment of diseases.
Seek Labs is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Seek Labs is
a proud member of the BioHive, a collective representing the life
science and healthcare innovation ecosystem in Utah. BioHive is
dedicated to all the ways our work can positively impact the lives
of our community, our teams, and patients.
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Bridget Baldwin Director of Communications, Seek Labs
communications@seeklabs.com