Inhalable Ebola Vaccine Helps Protect Monkeys

A potentially breathable, respiratory vaccine is in development to help provide long-term protection for non-human primates against the deadly Ebola Virus, according to recent findings published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

"The main advantage of our vaccine platform over the others in clinical testing is the long-lasting protection after a single inhaled dose. This is important since the longevity of other vaccines for Ebola that are currently being evaluated is not fully evaluated. Moreover, this immunization method is more attractive than an injectable vaccine given the costs associated with syringe distribution and needle safety and disposal," said one of the study's author Professor Maria Croyle of the University of Texas at Austin's College of Pharmacy, in a news release.

The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa has claimed over 5,000 lives, while experts warn that close to a million people could be infected with the health issue by next year. With no cure or vaccine available, the virus has and continues to be a global health concern. Mandatory quarantines have even been placed on individuals who have been traveling from certain areas and entering back into the United States. 

"There is a desperate need for a vaccine that not only prevents the continued transmission from person to person, but also aids in controlling future incidences," concluded Jonsson-Schmunk, co-author of the study.

In the next stages of research, clinical trials could prove to be an effective breakthrough for treating the health issue in humans.

More information regarding the findings will be presented on November 5 at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition.