CDC confirms mpox vaccine’s effectiveness

A few more wins for biotech innovation: the CDC confirms the mpox vaccine is highly effective, and the FDA OKs an animal feed additive that will reduce methane emissions from cow belches. (457 words, 2 minutes, 17 seconds)

CDC confirms mpox vaccine’s effectiveness as cases drop

The mpox vaccine is highly effective and infections are declining, according to two reports released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The key finding: Review of “32,819 probable or confirmed U.S. mpox cases” found just 0.8% of those receiving the complete two-dose course of Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS vaccine became infected. The few infected after receiving the vaccine had milder infections than unvaccinated people, CDC says.

Cases drop: A U.S. outbreak of clade II of the mpox virus peaked in 2022, at about 3,000 cases a week, and dropped to 59 a week by April 30, with most cases among the unvaccinated, CDC says. The more-dangerous clade I virus is not reported in the U.S.

Why it matters: Vaccination eradicated smallpox, which is closely related to mpox, and vaccination contained the 2022 mpox outbreak. Approved against both clades of the virus, mpox vaccination is recommended for at-risk groups.

In addition to vaccines, there’s also an FDA-approved treatment, TPOXX, an antiviral made by SIGA Technologies.

The big picture: An ongoing outbreak of the deadlier clade I of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused more than 6,500 cases and 345 deaths so far this year, and clade II remains a global concern, says the World Health Organization (WHO). A global strategy, released Friday by WHO, calls for surveillance, communication, community outreach—and vaccination.

FDA OKs feed additive to reduce methane from cow belches

Elanco announced yesterday that its Bovaer feed additive to reduce methane emissions from lactating cattle is the first such product confirmed safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Why it matters: Methane emissions from cow belches cause 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 4% of U.S. emissions. Methane dissipates much faster than carbon, but the impact on climate is much more intense, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Bovaer works by suppressing the enzyme in the cow’s rumen that forms methane,” says Elanco.

The potential impact: “One tablespoon of Bovaer per lactating dairy cow per day can reduce methane emissions about 30% or about 1.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually,” says Elanco. There were 82.7 million cows in the U.S. as of Jan. 1.

Boosting farmers’ revenue: Elanco says it offers a tool to help farmers quantify the impact of using Bovaer so they can participate in carbon markets.

What other countries are saying: Bovaer feed additive was approved in Europe in 2022 and is commercially available in 58 countries, including Canada and Mexico, says AgriPulse.

What’s next: Bovaer is scheduled to hit the U.S. market “this summer,” Elanco says.

President Biden’s Wednesday: Campaigning in Philadelphia, where he’s set to launch a “Black Voters for Biden-Harris” initiative, per The Hill.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: A quiet day.