Measles vaccines are based on the Edmonston Zagreb (EZ) strain and are among the safest measles vaccines in the world. These vaccines have been administered successfully as an aerosol without any reported side effects. Due to their safety profile, recombinant measles virus (MV) vaccines could also be used in children to protect them with one immunization simultaneously against measles, malaria and/or AIDS. In this respect, recombinant MV vaccines are among the safest of the new generation of live recombinant multivalent vaccines. Crucell’s production experience with the standard MV vaccine allows the manufacturing of quantitative amounts of recombinant MVs, both economically and efficiently.

Recombinant measles vectors for highly immunogenic vaccines

The live recombinant MV vaccine induces long-lived immunity against measles after a single immunization. MV-based recombinant vaccine candidates for hepatitis B, HIV, West Nile virus, and SARS have been successfully constructed and tested in pre-clinical vaccine models. Potent humorally neutralizing antibodies and cellular immunity have been elicited by MV-based vector. The elicited immune responses were long-lived and comparable to the parental MV vaccine.

Recombinant measles vector–based products from bench to clinic

Crucell has fully operational BSL class II laboratories with an integrated capacity to produce quantitative amounts of recombinant MV vaccine candidates. Presently process development for the production of recombinant MV-based vaccines is established. The research group fully adapted the manufacturing protocols and developed in-house standard operation protocols. Capacity to produce MV-based vaccines exists, as there is a manufacturing capacity for the production of more than 15 million doses of MV vaccine.