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West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito born pathogen, was first identified in the U.S. in 1999. As of October 15, 2007, 2,803 cases of WNV infection were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the year. 70 of these cases resulted in death. 4,269 cases were reported to the CDC in 2006 with 177 cases resulting in death. Besides affecting humans, WNV is a serious pathogen in birds, horses and other animals. MacroGenics is developing an anti-WNV Mab, MGAWN1, for therapeutic applications. The antibody currently is being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers.
Smallpox
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus and is a contagious and sometimes fatal infectious disease. Following a significant public health campaign, naturally occurring smallpox was eradicated in 1977. However, smallpox now is considered a biothreat agent. MacroGenics is developing an antibody cocktail for post-exposure prophylaxis.
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