A Novel platform technology for industrial-scale production of an immune targeted Covid-19 vaccine

Grant number: COV/EDI/20/04

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19
  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $57,040
  • Funder

    CSO Scotland
  • Principal Investigator

    Prof. Garry Blakely
  • Research Location

    United Kingdom
  • Lead Research Institution

    University of Edinburgh
  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A
  • Research Category

    Vaccines research, development and implementation

  • Research Subcategory

    Pre-clinical studies

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

Effective vaccines are essential tools for combating infectious diseases. To elicit an antibody response the vaccine components must be taken-up by antigen presenting cells (APCs). We propose that modification of protein components from the SARSCoV-2 virus, by adding a specific sugar, will enhance their uptake by APCs and improve vaccine efficacy. We will perform this modification in a bacterium, Streptomyces lividans, which can be used for industrial-scale fermentation to rapidly produce the large quantities of vaccine components required for a nation-wide vaccination campaign.