First Commercially Available Venezuela Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV) Protein Announced

On the occasion of the 11th International Global Virus Network meeting, Aalto Bio Reagents launches the first commercially available protein for the detection and diagnosis of Venezuela Equine Encephalitis NSP2 TC83. 
Venezuela Equine Encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral pathogen that causes Venezuela Equine Encephalitis or Encephalomyelitis (VEE). VEE can affect humans and animals alike causing flu-like symptoms and headaches in healthy humans and causing serious illness and death in the young, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. 

“This exciting VEEV NSP2 TC83 launch today marks the first in a series of dynamic new products coming from Aalto Bio in the emerging disease space," said Philip Noone, CEO, Aalto Bio. "With this new VEEV NSP2 TC83 protein it enables our customers to bring superior, differentiating diagnostic end-products to market faster which will enable faster diagnosis, identification and treatment of these deadly viruses." 

The virus that causes VEE can be spread mainly by mosquitos that bite and infect humans and or animals. The virus can spread very quickly dependent on the subtype of VEE that is transmitted and the density of the mosquito populations near an outbreak region. Enzoonotic subtypes of VEE are endemic to certain geographical areas. 

There is an inactivated vaccine available for animals which contains the C-84 strain for VEEV, and it is primarily used on horses. In the case of humans there is another rudimentary vaccine which contains the TC-83 strain and is only used to date on military and lab personnel. However, clinicians have found that the vaccine does have side effects and does not fully immunize the patient. The team at Aalto Bio believe their new protein will help further the development of a more mainstream vaccine which will give greater or full immunisation to vaccine candidates and allow faster infield diagnostics of the virus. It should also be noted that during the cold war, both the US and Soviet biological weapons program researched and developed the VEEV virus. 

“Aalto Bio are a leading global developer and provider of high-quality and esoteric biological raw materials to the in-vitro diagnostic and Biotech industry,” stated Jennie Lynch, Senior VP North America, Enterprise Ireland. “We are glad to support them in bringing ground-breaking technology to the frontier of Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals.” 
 

More information online: www.aaltobioreagents.com