Cambridge University, U.K., Tests 'Super' New Coronavirus Vaccine This Fall

Cambridge University in the United Kingdom announced on the 26th that it has received a US$2.5 million grant from the British government and plans to start clinical trials of a new coronavirus vaccine in research this fall.

Different from the use of the new coronavirus spike protein in many current vaccines under development, the Cambridge University R&D team is using the gene sequence of known coronary viruses such as the new coronavirus to develop a vaccine designed to prevent animals from transmitting multiple coronaviruses to humans.

Jonathan Heney, Director of Viral Infectious Disease Laboratory at Cambridge University, is the project leader. He said, 'We are looking for cracks in the armor, the key part of the virus that can be used to make vaccines, in order to direct the immune response in the right direction. Ultimately, the vaccine we intend to make will not only protect against the new coronavirus, but also against other possible animals transmitted coronavirus to humans.' Other coronavirus-causing illnesses include Middle East respiratory syndrome and infectious atypical pneumonia.

The vaccine DIOS-CoVax2 developed by Cambridge University is based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). According to the University’s website, the research team used all known gene sequences of coronaviruses to generate antigen structures encoded by synthetic genes with computers, in order to train the human immune system to attack specific parts of the virus and produce a beneficial antiviral response.

Heney said that a major benefit of this vaccine is that it is expected to prevent people from having an excessive immune response after being vaccinated. Reuters reported that the DNA vector method used by Cambridge has shown safety and effectiveness in early trials against other pathogens. According to Cambridge University, the vaccine under development can be injected into the human body only with air jets without needles. The vaccine has good thermal stability and can be made into freeze-dried powder, so there is no need for refrigeration, which is more convenient for storage and transportation, thereby reducing costs.

The British 'Times' reported that the first clinical trial at Cambridge University will be conducted at the Southampton Clinical Research Institute of the National Institute of Health. The results of the test are expected to be released before the end of this year, and larger-scale tests may be launched by then.

Bloomberg News reported that several research and development teams have begun to develop a DNA-based new crown vaccine, including the U.S. Inovio Pharmaceutical Company. Inovio Pharmaceuticals said that the immunization effect of the pre-vaccine trial was good, but investors questioned that the company disclosed too little details.