In the global battle against coronavirus pandemic, scientists have come up with a new “ultrapotent” vaccine candidate that has produced “extremely high levels” of protective antibodies in animal models.
Researchers in their study, published in the journal Cell, said the vaccine generates 10 times more neutralising antibodies in mice. It also shows a strong B-cell immune response after administration. This, they said, is a sign of higher durability of the vaccine’s effect.
When the vaccine was given to a nonhuman primate, scientists explained it produced neutralising antibodies, targeting different sites on the spike protein of the coronavirus, which it uses to enter human cells.
The researchers also said the vaccine could ensure protection against mutated strains of the coronavirus. According to the study, the molecular structure of the vaccine roughly mimics that of a virus, which may account for its enhanced ability to provoke an immune response.
“We hope that our nanoparticle platform may help fight this pandemic that is causing so much damage to our world,” said Neil King, a co-author of the study from UW Medicine.
“The potency, stability, and manufacturability of this vaccine candidate differentiate it from many others under investigation,” King added.
Presently, as many as 150 potential vaccines are being developed and tested globally, with 38 in human trial stage. Early development of vaccine will be a game-changer in the battle against the Covid-19 outbreak, which has killed millions of people around the planet while causing economic, physical, social and mental catastrophe.
In India, Bharat Biotech is planning to launch its vaccine “Covaxin” for Covid-19 in the second quarter next year for and it has got approvals from the regulatory authorities after the phase 3 trials.