Intradermal administration of RiVax protects mice from mucosal and systemic ricin intoxication.

Ricin toxin is a CDC level B biothreat. We have developed a ricin vaccine, RiVax, which is a recombinant mutant of ricin A chain. RiVax is safe, immunogenic and protective in mice when administered intramuscularly (IM).

A novel recombinant vaccine which protects mice against ricin intoxication.

Ricin toxin (RT) is a plant-derived toxin of extraordinary toxicity; a single molecule successfully internalized into the cytoplasm of a cell is lethal for that cell. An estimated dose of 1-10 microg/kg is lethal to humans, making aerosolized ricin a potential agent for bioterrorism. Vaccination against ricin using either denatured toxin or its modified A chain subunit (RTA) has been successful in experimental animals but both vaccines have potential toxicities.