Texas Biomed Researchers Test First Potential Measles Treatment as Cases Surge Nationwide
Key Insights
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (search) are testing what could become the first therapeutic treatment for measles (search) virus, addressing a critical gap in current medical care.
The monoclonal antibody (search) candidate, known as mAb 77, targets viral proteins to prevent the measles (search) virus from entering human cells and will be tested in juvenile rhesus monkeys next month.
Currently no specific FDA-approved antiviral treatment exists for measles (search), with doctors relying only on supportive care like fluids, fever reducers, and antibiotics for secondary infections.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (search) are preparing to test what could become the first therapeutic treatment for measles (search) virus, addressing a critical medical gap as the disease resurges across the United States amid declining vaccination rates.
The monoclonal antibody (search) candidate, developed in collaboration with scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California and Columbia University, will undergo testing in juvenile rhesus monkeys next month at Texas Biomed's primate research facility.
Critical Treatment Gap
Currently, no specific FDA-approved antiviral treatment exists for measles (search). "There is currently no antiviral treatment or medication associated with treating the infection of measles," said Cory Hallam, executive vice president of Applied Science at Texas Biomed. Instead, doctors rely on supportive care including high doses of vitamin A, steroid treatments, extra fluids, fever reducers, and antibiotics to control secondary infections.
This treatment gap exists partly because of the historical success of the MMR vaccine in eradicating the disease in the U.S. "Because there's such an effective vaccine, there's not so much effort going into developing an antiviral," explained Texas Biomed researcher Viraj Kulkarni.
Monoclonal Antibody Mechanism
The therapeutic candidate, known as mAb 77, represents a monoclonal antibody (search)—a lab-made protein identical to those naturally produced by the human immune system to fight viruses and bacteria. Unlike traditional antivirals that impede virus replication after cellular infection has occurred, monoclonal antibodies latch onto viruses and disrupt them from entering cells in the first place.
"They target the membrane of the virus," Kulkarni explained. "The antibody goes and binds to these molecules, and then the virus cannot enter." Specifically, mAb 77 targets two proteins the measles (search) virus uses to attach and enter human cells.
The antibodies can also reduce viral load and recruit the immune system after infection has taken place, allowing administration both as a preventative measure and as a therapeutic treatment.
Preclinical Success and Primate Testing
In 2024, scientists at the La Jolla Institute and Columbia University demonstrated that their monoclonal antibodies effectively attacked and neutralized the measles (search) virus in laboratory and rodent studies, with findings published in Science.
The upcoming primate study will test the drug candidate in juvenile rhesus monkeys rather than larger primates, since measles (search) poses the greatest risk to young children. "If successful, this is going to at least be an option for kids. We are worried about kids below 5, the very vulnerable population," Kulkarni said.
If early results validate mAb 77's effectiveness in the primate study, the drug candidate will likely advance to human clinical trials.
Rising Disease Threat
Measles (search) was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but declining vaccination rates have led to a resurgence. Cases have climbed past levels not seen since 1991, threatening the country's elimination status. Health experts emphasize that measles remains one of the most contagious viruses in the world. "The reproducibility of the measles virus is one of the highest... which means it can spread to everybody," Hallam noted.
Globally, the disease killed 95,000 people in 2024, according to the World Health Organization, remaining a public health threat in developing countries where vaccines are not widely available.
Clinical Applications and Timeline
If eventually approved, the measles (search) antibody could be administered in outbreak areas, both treating the disease and preventing further spread. The treatment would provide doctors with a tool to reduce severe outcomes when patients present at hospitals.
"This would be a way to treat them if they show up in the hospital to help prevent any kind of mortality," Hallam explained. The therapy could prove particularly valuable for individuals unable to receive vaccination or those exposed to the virus.
Researchers estimate the development timeline could range from three to five years with adequate funding, potentially extending to five to ten years if funding must be secured at each development stage.
Prevention Remains Primary Defense
Despite the promising therapeutic development, researchers emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective approach. The MMR vaccine provides approximately 97% effectiveness after two doses and has a long track record of preventing outbreaks.
"It's a big problem, and we have a simple solution for it," Kulkarni said. "We don't have to even do this research—if you give the vaccine, it's gone."
However, the potential treatment could add a critical layer of protection as cases continue to climb, particularly for vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated or are exposed despite immunization efforts.