Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics' Mid-Year Update on Divisions

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, a Maryland-based One Health company, is making significant strides in the development of vaccines and diagnostic tools for global health. The company is particularly focused on zoonosis and public health issues, including antimicrobial resistance, sepsis, and influenza. Longhorn's flagship product, PrimeStore® Molecular Transport Media (MTM), is a patented, FDA-cleared device for the collection and transport of molecular diagnostic samples at ambient temperatures.

PrimeStore MTM gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic and has since evolved into a leading sample collection device for various infectious diseases such as respiratory infections, STDs, UTIs, sepsis, and gastrointestinal infections. Laboratories around the world now use PrimeStore MTM for molecular testing, which has streamlined diagnostics and improved efficiency in clinical settings and supply chain management.

The company is also actively developing vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to fight antimicrobial resistance, sepsis, and influenza. Longhorn’s approach to vaccine development is unique, utilizing multiple well-characterized targets in a single vaccine. For influenza, this means targeting various stages of the viral replication process, while for sepsis, the focus is on clearing both bacteria and toxins.

Jeff Fischer, President of Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation in diagnostic solutions and vaccine development. He highlighted the widespread use of PrimeStore MTM for both human and animal disease testing and surveillance, attributing this to the innovation developed over a decade ago.

In the first half of 2024, PrimeStore MTM has been crucial in addressing the H5N1 dairy outbreak in the US by facilitating the collection and testing of infected milk samples. The device is trusted by the USDA and the dairy industry for managing high-consequence pathogens. Moreover, Longhorn has entered a worldwide distribution agreement with Streck, enhancing their sample collection technology and providing laboratories with better stabilization solutions.

PrimeStore MTM is also revolutionizing tuberculosis (TB) testing in Africa by improving accessibility and accuracy. For patients unable to produce sputum, oral swabs are now a viable alternative, expanding diagnostic access. Additionally, stool collection for children using PrimeStore MTM has significantly improved TB diagnosis in pediatric populations.

The device is central to the new Prime External Quality Assessment (EQA) panels, which offer quicker, more cost-effective, and consistent methods for TB testing. These panels have been tested at three Super-National TB labs across Africa, helping identify laboratories and processes that need improvement. The success of PrimeEQA has spurred interest in developing expanded EQA panels for various tests and instruments, underscoring the need for comprehensive quality assurance in diagnostics.

Longhorn continues to collaborate with governments, universities, and private laboratories to evaluate PrimeStore MTM against various pathogens and sample types. This collaboration aims to improve testing, ensure safer and faster responses to outbreaks, and advance scientific development.

In the realm of vaccine development, Longhorn presented new data at ECCMID 2024 on LHNVD-105, an adjuvanted composite dual peptide vaccine targeting multiple stages of viral replication. This vaccine has shown broad reactivity across various influenza strains in pigs. Additionally, Longhorn presented data on LHNVD-301, a monoclonal antibody cocktail against clinical tuberculosis isolates, and LHNVD-110, a single peptide influenza vaccine.

Another key development is LHNVD-302, a sepsis vaccine that has moved into the late stage of pre-clinical development. This vaccine targets both the bacteria and the toxins that cause sepsis, overcoming previous challenges in antibody half-life extension.

Gerald Fischer, CEO of Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the company’s vaccines. He highlighted the shift to a single peptide formulation for the universal influenza vaccine, which could reduce development costs, improve manufacturing efficiency, and ensure accessibility in both developed and underdeveloped markets.

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics remains dedicated to developing vaccines and diagnostic tools that can have a global impact, addressing the needs of healthcare providers and patients worldwide.

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