DTRA's Multi-Million Dollar Battle Against Ebola in West Africa
Since 2003, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has stood as a sentinel in the fight against some of the deadliest pathogens known to mankind. With an investment exceeding $300 million, DTRA has pioneered medical countermeasures against hemorrhagic fever viruses, including the formidable Ebola virus. The fruits of this significant investment are materializing in promising new vaccines and therapeutic treatments that could potentially stem the spread of the virus in West Africa.
A Decade of Preparation
DTRA’s strategic mission is to shield the United States and its allies from the threats posed by chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons. As stated by DTRA Deputy Director Air Force Maj. Gen. John Horner, efforts are ongoing to strengthen global biosecurity. “We plan to be in this business for the long term,” he emphasized, underscoring the commitment to combat infectious disease threats worldwide.
With over 17,290 cases and at least 6,128 reported deaths in West Africa alone, the urgency to introduce licensed Ebola treatments is palpable. According to DVIDS, the absence of such treatments has driven accelerated efforts to get medical products into the regulatory approval pipeline.
Leading the Charge with Vaccines
DTRA, together with the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise, has spotlighted three front-runners in the vaccine pipeline — two vaccines and a therapeutic treatment. These vaccine candidates, VSV-EBOV and ChAd-EBOV, have shown immense potential in clinical trials.
The VSV-EBOV vaccine, a genetically engineered virus developed by BioProtection Systems/Newlink Genetics, promises an innovative approach by delivering the Ebola protein into the human body to stimulate an immune response. Similarly, GlaxoSmithKline’s ChAd-EBOV vaccine utilizes a recombinant adenovirus to effectively deliver the Ebola protein, a promising approach in combatting the virus.
Testing and Trials: A Global Effort
Human testing of the VSV-EBOV vaccine is underway at premier research institutes like NIH Clinical Center and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. These trials aim to evaluate both the safety and the immune response generated in test subjects.
The roadmap doesn’t end there; clinical trials evaluating the vaccine’s efficacy are scheduled to begin early next year in West Africa. Spearheaded by DTRA in collaboration with international partners like Doctors Without Borders, these trials will be pivotal in assessing the real-world effectiveness of the vaccine candidates.
ZMapp: The Therapeutic Hope
Not to be overshadowed, DTRA’s involved research into therapeutic treatments against Ebola includes ZMapp, an antibody-driven therapeutic developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical. ZMapp’s cocktail of genetically engineered antibodies has shown effectiveness in neutralizing the Ebola virus.
These promising efforts reflect years of collaboration between DTRA, NIH, and USAMRIID. From its inception in 2007 to becoming a clinical reality in 2014, ZMapp represents a leap forward in passive immunotherapy, providing patients with a fighting chance against this disease.
A Unified Front Against Future Threats
In the face of what could be one of the most significant public health threats of this century, DTRA’s efforts are not only about addressing the present Ebola epidemic but also about fortifying protections against future biological threats. The agency stands firm in its resolve to work with interagency partners to deliver solutions that could change the course of infectious disease outbreaks.
The challenge is vast, but with continued investment, dedicated partnerships, and groundbreaking research, a world less threatened by such deadly pathogens could be within reach someday soon.
(Follow Cheryl Pellerin on Twitter @PellerinDoDNews)
