Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: TNXP) announced the publication of new preclinical research in the peer-reviewed Journal of Virology that demonstrates significant differences in virulence between mpox virus clade IIb, the strain currently circulating in the United States, and the historic clade IIa strain. Conducted at the company's research and development center, the study identified three new mouse models for investigating mpox pathogenesis and found that the clade IIb isolate is up to 100,000 times less virulent than clade IIa, providing additional tools to evaluate vaccines and other medical countermeasures.
The findings support continued development of TNX-801, Tonix's live attenuated horsepox virus vaccine candidate for the prevention of mpox and smallpox. The company believes these new animal models will help researchers better understand emerging mpox variants, assess vaccine durability and protective efficacy, and advance efforts to address the ongoing global threat posed by mpox. Tonix Pharmaceuticals is a fully-integrated, commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on central nervous system (CNS) and immunology treatments in areas of high unmet medical need.
This research is critical as mpox continues to pose a global health threat, with new variants emerging. By demonstrating that the current circulating strain is significantly less virulent, the study provides a foundation for more targeted vaccine development. The mouse models offer a standardized platform for testing vaccine candidates, potentially accelerating the path to effective countermeasures. The implications for public health are substantial, as a successful vaccine could prevent future outbreaks and reduce the severity of disease in affected populations.
For more information on this development, visit the full press release here.
