CureVac's coronavirus vaccine candidate shows positive pre-clinical results at low dose
First phase 1/2a clinical trial in healthy volunteers in June 2020 planned
geralt, pixabay.com, CC0
The results underline the strength of CureVac's mRNA technology platform and are in line with previously generated data in Rabies, Flu and Respiratory-Syncytial-Virus (RSV). In all such indications CureVac’s mRNA based vaccine candidates were active at low dose and protected animals from virus infection in established challenge models. Recently, the Company also tested the Rabies mRNA vaccine product candidate in a Phase 1 human clinical trial. The product candidate induced adaptive immune response as shown by protective levels of rabies-specific VNTs in all healthy volunteers who received two administrations of a dose of 1 microgram.
With regard to the Coronavirus vaccine candidate, upon publication of the sequence of the novel virus in January 2020, CureVac launched pre-clinical tests with a variety of potential antigenic constructs based on the spike protein to elicit high immunogenicity. The Company intends to initiate the first phase 1/2a clinical trial in healthy volunteers in June 2020 with its lead vaccine candidate.
CureVac has already produced large quantities of material for its vaccine candidate in its GMP III manufacturing facility in Tuebingen (Germany). The manufacturing capacity of the facility can potentially supply several hundred million doses per year, depending on the human dose defined in the clinical trials.
Dr. Mariola Fotin-Mleczek, Chief Technology Officer of CureVac, says: “This pre-clinical data validates our strategy to leverage the promising results in healthy volunteers of our Rabies vaccine candidate shown in our ongoing clinical trial. It is remarkable that with both vaccine candidates - Rabies and Coronavirus - as well as with our Flu and RSV projects, we were able to achieve positive results at such a low dose. The outcomes demonstrate the potential of our mRNA technology platform to revolutionize the field of vaccines.”
Dr. Franz Werner-Haas, acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, adds: “We have been working on our mRNA platform for almost two decades and are leveraging our deep scientific understanding of the technology. With recurring positive results for Flu, RSV, Rabies and now our Coronavirus vaccine candidate, we have demonstrated the sustained performance of our mRNA platform. We are convinced that with our expertise and advanced technology we are well positioned to fight viral outbreaks such as the current one and that our approach may provide the best chance to protect many people from SARS-CoV-2 and other health threats.”
The Company has received financial support for its Coronavirus vaccine development from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.
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