VGTI researchers receive $12.6 million to study West Nile virus in t...( daptive immune responses (T and B cells...),Health

"We would like to find out what in us deteriorates with age allowing the virus to have a greater ability to create serious illness.," explained Nikolich-Zugich.

The scientists and their colleagues also believe the findings of this research may have commercial impacts that benefit Oregonians.

"Once we understand the mechanisms and identify therapy targets associated with innate and adaptive immunity to West Nile virus, OHSU would welcome the opportunity to partner with industry and develop therapeutic approaches for WNV as well as other flaviviruses," said Arundeep Pradhan, OHSU's director of Technology and Research Collaborations.

"This grant award will accelerate the further development and eventual commercialization of a new drug candidate," said Al Ferro, Ph.D., Chairman of Virogenomics Inc. Virogenomics is an Oregon-based biotechnology company that has been working with the VGTI to develop novel therapeutics against WNV with promising results.

Other VGTI scientists involved in the research are: Jay Nelson, Ph.D., director of the VGTI; Klaus Frueh, Ph.D.; Ashlee Moses, Ph.D.; Scott Wong, Ph.D.; and Mike Axthelm, Ph.D. Researchers at OHSU will also collaborate with scientists at Tulane University, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Texas branches in Galveston and Houston.

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Contact: Jim Newman
newmanj@ohsu.edu
503-494-8231
Oregon Health & Science University
11-Oct-2005