“Science is simply common sense at its best"- Thomas Huxley (English biologist)

Current influenza virus vaccine formulations rely on successfully predicting the most common viral strains from year to year. However, a strain mismatch often occurs rendering the vaccine suboptimal and inefficient. In addition, the vaccine strains have to be reviewed each year because due to the rapid rate of mutation of the influenza virus new variants may arise which are not covered in previous versions of the vaccine. 

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There are however conserved protein domains shared by most influenza strains, because any changes in these regions negatively affect viral function. By targeting these conserved antigens and incorporating them in a single virus-like particle (VLP) we have been able to develop a vaccine which can potentially protect against all influenza A viruses regardless of clade or subtype. Currently in pre-clinical development, we have data that supports the universality and efficacy of our universal influenza vaccine candidate. 

    

-  Alex Ramirez PhD 

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