IVI [to 5 September 2015]
http://www.ivi.org/web/www/home

.
IVI Initiates MERS Vaccine Research and Development
:: IVI to launch MERS vaccine development project with donation from Samsung
:: Institute to host International MERS Symposium on September 10, convening leading scientists and experts in public health, infectious diseases and vaccine development

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) will embark on vaccine research initiatives on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

First detected in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV has been reported in several countries, causing 1,478 cases and 516 deaths globally. It was responsible for a recent outbreak in South Korea with 185 cases and 36 deaths reported. Relatively little is known about the disease and researchers are still trying to understand MERS-CoV. There is currently no vaccine or antiretroviral treatment for MERS-CoV infection.

The Institute will launch a project to accelerate the research and development of MERS vaccines. Samsung Medical Center announced on September 2 that it would donate 41 billion Korean won (34 million USD) over five years to IVI to develop MERS vaccines. The funding will be used to identify the most promising vaccines currently ready for testing and to begin human studies as quickly and safely as possible. IVI is in the process of discussion and partnering with groups that have data suggesting protection in animal models and anticipates = an initial set of collaborators to be assembled shortly.

“We are extremely grateful to Samsung for their very generous contribution,” said Dr. Jerome Kim, IVI’s Director General, “Thanks to Samsung, we will be able to harness the best resources and capabilities in Korea and internationally to develop new, safe and effective MERS vaccines.”…