Ranpirnase is being advanced as a medical countermeasure against filoviruses and other high-consequence pathogens.
Ebola is nearest to use in humans, on the strength of pre-existing data and the immediate need for an intermediate solution while vaccines are developed. The Ebola Bundibugyo strain is the top priority.
Selectivity indices eliminating EBOV in cultures of Vero E6 cells
Of mice protected from progressive infection by a single intravenous dose of 0.1 mg/kg ranpirnase
Of female mice survived infection after intraperitoneal administration of 0.1 mg/kg ranpirnase for ten days beginning one hour post challenge
Granted 14 July 2017 for the treatment of Ebola virus disease
Ranpirnase is protective against EBOV in mice when administered prophylactically or as post-exposure prophylaxis. Mice that survived after treatment regained lost weight and showed exponentially reduced viral load. High viral clearance and survival were achieved at doses considerably below the scaled mouse equivalent of the safe human dose.
Antiviral effect of ranpirnase against Ebola virus. Hodge et al. Antiviral Research 132:210, 2016. Data generated in collaboration with USAMRIID.
| Attribute | Ranpirnase (investigational) | Monoclonal antibody therapies | Vaccines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis | Treatment only | Prevention only |
| Strain dependency | Potentially strain-agnostic, mechanism-based | Zaire ebolavirus only | Zaire ebolavirus only |
| Timing of use | Pre- or post-exposure | Post-diagnosis | Pre-exposure / outbreak control |
| Route | Intravenous, development-dependent | Intravenous infusion | Intramuscular injection |
| Cold chain | Standard biologic, expected | Refrigerated | Ultra-cold or multi-step |
| Manufacturing | Single protein | High complexity, multiple antibodies | Viral-vector production |
| Stockpiling suitability | High, anticipated | Moderate | Limited by storage constraints |
| Role in layered defence | Therapeutic backstop | Frontline treatment | Population-level prevention |
