The inactivation approach presented in this technology provides for a safe, non-infectious composition for vaccination against the corresponding agent.

The current technology describes the inactivation of viruses, parasites, and tumor cells by the hydrophobic photoactivatable compound, 1,5-iodoanpthylazide (INA). This non-toxic compound will diffuse into the lipid bilayer of biological membranes and upon irradiation with light will bind to proteins and lipids in this domain thereby inactivating fusion of enveloped viruses with their corresponding target cells. Furthermore, the selective binding of INA to protein domains in the lipid bilayer preserves the structural integrity and therefore immunogenicity of proteins on the exterior of the inactivated virus. This technology is universally applicable to other microorganisms that are surrounded by biological membranes like parasites and tumor cells. The broad utility of the subject technology has been demonstrated using influenza virus, HIV, SIV and Ebola virus as representative examples. The inactivation approach for vaccine development presented in this technology provides for a safe, non- infectious formulation for vaccination against the corresponding agent. Vaccination studies demonstrated that mice immunized with INA inactivated influenza virus mounted a heterologous protective immune response against lethal doses of influenza virus. This technology and its application to HIV are further described in Raviv et al., Journal of Virology 2005, 79(19):12394-12400.

Early Stage

U.S. Provisional Application filed 22 Mar 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-303-2003/0-US-01); PCT Application filed 22 Mar 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-303-2003/0-PCT-02) Inventors: Yossef Raviv et al. (NCI)

Licensees sought. In addition to licensing, the technology is available for further studies in application to vaccine development in animal models through collaborative research opportunities with the inventors. Please contact Dr. Yossef Raviv at yraviv@ncifcrf.gov.