Avian flu vaccine shows promise in preclinical trials

A potential vaccine for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) has demonstrated 100% protection in a preclinical trial. According to biopharmaceutical company POP Biotechnologies, the study’s promising results come at a critical time, with the virus affecting various species including poultry, dairy cattle, wild birds, and domestic pets.^1,2

The nanoparticle vaccine is under development for potential use in both veterinary and human medicine, since the virus is a zoonotic and pandemic threat. More than 1000 US dairy herds have reported H5N1 infections, according to POP Biotechnologies. Cases include farm workers and domestic cat fatalities that have been linked to contaminated milk and pet food.Additionally, more than 167 million poultry birds in the US have been affected since early 2022.^1,2

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The study was a collaboration of investigators from the University at Buffalo, the National Microbiology Laboratory (Public Health Agency of Canada), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, and the University of Manitoba. Results of the trial were published April 17, 2025, in Cell Biomaterials.^1-3

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The vaccine targets the 2.3.4.4b clade of H5N1, the strain credited with causing widespread avian outbreaks and some infections in humans. The study demonstrated the vaccine, which displays 2 recombinant virus-derived proteins—hemagglutinin (H5) and neuraminidase (N1)—could completely protect mice from the 2.3.4.4b clade of H5N1.^1-3

"Our approach is kind of like a magnet that can attach vaccine components to a small particle surface. It just clicks into place easily. The body's immune system can better recognize the particles, resulting in stronger immune responses. It's also fast and efficient to manufacture, which is advantageous when you need to quickly ramp up vaccine production," Jonathan Lovell, PhD, a study author, cofounder of POP Biotechnologies and a professor of biomedical engineering at the University at Buffalo in New York, said in a news release.¹

The developmental product relies onPOP Biotechnologies' proprietary nanoparticle vaccine platform, POP BIO SNAP.This technology uses cobalt-binding interactions to attach viral proteins to nanoparticles efficiently, which enhances immune responses. The result is acceleration of vaccine development while circumventing limitations of traditional egg-based production.^1,2

"This is a pivotal moment for pandemic preparedness initiatives," John R. Fulton, founder of BioNiagara, a pharmaceutical company in Ontario, Canada, said in the release.¹ "Cross-border collaboration and cutting-edge technologies like POP BIO SNAP™ are vital to preempting a potential pandemic."

References

1. Magnet-like nanoparticle vaccine achieves 100% protection against H5N1 (bird flu) in preclinical trials. News release. BioNiagara and POP Biotechnologies. April 17, 2025. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/magnet-like-nanoparticle-vaccine-achieves-100-protection-against-h5n1-in-preclinical-trials-302431826.html
2. POP BIO announces vaccine concept targeting avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. POP BIOTECH. April 17, 2025. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://www.pop.bio/news/h5n1-bird-flu
3. Li Q, Vendramelli R, Truong T, et al. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase elicit immunity in a recombinant nanoparticle vaccine. Cell Biomaterials. April 17, 2025. Accessed April 18, 2025. https://www.cell.com/cell-biomaterials/fulltext/S3050-5623(25)00061-3