SIV

Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) causes a sudden onset of respiratory illness in pigs characterized by a "barking" cough and is often accompanied by lethargy, anorexia, and fever. SIV is currently endemic in most US swine herds and can cause significant production losses, especially when accompanied by secondary infections. Influenza viruses are constantly evolving through two mechanisms known as antigenic drift (random mutations) and antigen shift (segment reassortments). The ever-changing influenza genome makes it difficult to successfully vaccinate against SIV using traditional vaccine types. Our proprietary alphavirus replicon technology positions Harrisvaccines to rapidly respond and produce vaccines specific for newly emerged SIV strains.

PRRS Virus

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is the most economically significant viral swine disease, costing US pork producers more than $700 million dollars annually. The disease affects both sows and growing pigs, leading to abortions, high piglet mortality, and pneumonia. The PRRS virus is characterized by its rapid rate of mutation and suppression of host immune responses. As a result, the virus is difficult to eliminate by traditional methods.

At Harrisvaccines, our research is focused on developing the next generation of broadly protective vaccines for PRRS virus. Using our RP Platform technology to deliver vaccine antigens, we can induce broadly protective immune responses while retaining the ability to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Advanced technological approaches like this will be crucial to the control and eventual elimination of PRRS.

Rotavirus C

Rotavirus C is a cause of diarrhea and mortality in young piglets. Current vaccines do not protect against this type of rotavirus and available control measures are not highly effective. There is also great difficulty preparing new vaccines, due to the poor growth characteristics of Rotavirus C in laboratory cell culture.

Harrisvaccines is developing a vaccine candidate for Rotavirus C using our RP Platform technology. Because our technology requires only specific gene sequence from the virus, we can avoid the production issues associated with traditional approaches.