Henipaviruses are RNA viruses containing two high consequence human pathogens: Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV). Both NiV and HeV infection in humans can result in severe respiratory disease and/or severe neurological manifestations, with mortality rates as high as 80%. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics, and both NiV and HeV are considered dangerous emerging human pathogens with pandemic potential.

CDC researchers have developed novel Nipah Virus Replicon Particles (VRPs) using reverse genetics-based system. The developed VRP vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing NiV disease in highly sensitive small animal model of disease (Syrian hamster and immunodeficient mice). In these studies, single-dose vaccination at 28, 14, and 7 days prior to challenge resulted in up to 100% survival, and significant reduction in incidence of clinical disease. All unvaccinated animals exhibited clinical signs of infection, and 50–100 % mortality, depending on the model. Importantly, the vaccine was given intranasally and efficacy via this route of vaccination has not been previously shown. The production system of the VRP vaccine does not use infectious NiV which minimizes safety concerns regarding incomplete removal of any infectious component of the final product, and the VRP platform could be rapidly modified to produce analogous vaccine candidates for any emerging, high-consequence, pathogenic henipaviruses.