Roadmap for the research to underpin the development of control strategies for FMD

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

To develop effective and practical bio-therapeutics against FMD

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

• Test Ad5-IFN distribution and expression in cattle after aerosol exposure.
• Evaluate the ability of Ad5-type I IFN platform to confer rapid onset of protection (18 hr) against several FMD serotypes and subtypes
• Develop efficient delivery system for mass treatment of livestock.
• Continue basic research on the molecular mechanisms of IFNinduced protection, FMDV pathogenesis and disease resistance in cattle, as to identify lead biotherapeutics or immunomodulators, which can induce very rapid and sustained protection and provide rapid protection in cattle.
• Make the use of lower doses possible (to date, high doses are required).
• Solve issues related to short half-life.
• Solve species specificity issues.

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Existing knowledge including successes and failures

The development of bio-therapeutics such as characterisation of cell transcription factors that induce IFN, antiviral ISG biology, siRNA and miRNAs, Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides, IFN inducers, and 3D pol inhibitors is ongoing. Proof-of-concept efficacy studies using Ad5-pIFN-α in swine have demonstrated its potential as a FMDV
biotherapeutic. Efficacy studies with Ad5-pIFN-α in a swine contact challenge model, its efficacy against additional FMDV serotypes, and its enhanced potency have increased the development product potential for this platform in swine.