COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 update from Immunopaedia.org.za.
The virus SARS-CoV-2 has causes COVID-19 disease which has led to an unprecedented public health crisis world-wide. The scientific community is still searching for a vaccine and there are currently no SARS-CoV-2 specific treatments, an effective vaccine is urgently needed.
Researchers have developed a “pilot-scale production of a purified inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccine candidate (PiCoVacc), which induced SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, rats and non-human primates”. The induced antibodies neutralized 10 representative SARS-CoV-2 strains which suggests that there may be a possible broader neutralizing ability.
“Three immunizations using two different doses (3 μg or 6 μg per dose) provided partial or complete protection in macaques against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, respectively, without observable antibody-dependent enhancement of infection.”
The researchers showed evidences for the safety of PiCoVacc in macaques; and did not observe infection enhancement or immunopathological exacerbation in their studies. “The results suggest a path forward for clinical development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for use in humans. Phases I, II and III clinical trials with PiCoVacc, as well as other SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates, are expected to begin later this year”.
Journal Article: Qiang Gao et al, 2020. Development of an inactivated vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2. Science
SOURCE: www.immunopaedia.org.za/breaking-news/development-of-an-inactivated-vaccine-candidate-for-sars-cov-2