Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: TNXP) announced the publication of new preclinical research in the peer-reviewed Journal of Virology that demonstrates significant differences in virulence between mpox virus clade IIb, the strain currently circulating in the United States, and the historic clade IIa strain. The study, conducted at the company's research and development center, identified three new mouse models for investigating mpox pathogenesis and found that the clade IIb isolate is up to 100,000 times less virulent than clade IIa, providing additional tools to evaluate vaccines and other medical countermeasures.
Tonix stated that the findings support continued development of TNX-801, its live attenuated horsepox virus vaccine candidate for the prevention of mpox and smallpox. The company believes the new animal models will help researchers better understand emerging mpox variants, assess vaccine durability and protective efficacy, and advance efforts to address the ongoing global threat posed by the disease. The full press release can be accessed at https://ibn.fm/ZlMkT.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals is a fully-integrated, commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on central nervous system (CNS) and immunology treatments in areas of high unmet medical need. TONMYA (cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets 2.8mg), the company's recently approved flagship medicine, is the first new treatment for fibromyalgia in more than 15 years. Tonix's CNS commercial infrastructure supports its marketed products, including its acute migraine products, Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra. The company is also advancing a pipeline of immunology programs, including monoclonal antibody TNX-4800 for Lyme disease prophylaxis and TNX-1500, a third-generation CD40 ligand inhibitor for the prevention of kidney transplant rejection.
The implications of this research are significant for public health. With the ongoing global threat of mpox, understanding the virulence of circulating strains is crucial for vaccine development and preparedness. The new mouse models allow for more accurate testing of vaccines like TNX-801, potentially accelerating their path to regulatory approval. Moreover, the finding that the current U.S. strain is substantially less virulent than historical strains may inform public health responses and risk assessments. Tonix's work, as detailed in the press release, underscores the importance of continued investment in medical countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases. For more information on Tonix Pharmaceuticals, visit their newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TNXP.
