Universal vaccine approaches for current SARS-CoV-2 variants and future coronaviruses in LMICs

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or SARS2) has significantly impacted global public health and wellbeing. Newly developed COVID-19 vaccines protect against infection of the original Wuhan SARS2 virus, but SARS2 variants are a real threat to ending the pandemic. Delays and deficits in vaccine procurement and deployment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are more exacerbated with the emergence of new variants. Universal or pan coronavirus vaccines offer a solution not only to the diversity of current and near future coronaviruses but also for the vaccine procurement and deployment issues affecting LMICs. In this project I address the need for a universal coronavirus vaccine by identifying similar immune responses triggered by several different coronaviruses. This information will be used to design and evaluate universal vaccine candidates in a protein subunit vaccine platform. This work is in line with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations' (CEPI's) mission - New vaccines for a safer world. Also, I have connected with researchers and vaccine developers (Incepta) in Rwanda and Bangladesh, respectively, to address COVID-19 vaccine needs in LMICs. Through regular video conferences and an in-person meeting in the last half of the award, I will share my progress with CEPI and my international collaborators. We will plan the next phase of the project to conduct SARS2 variant assessments and preclinical analysis of Incepta's COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The project brings together CEPI and international partners to work toward the goal of improved vaccines for SARS2 that will have a true global impact especially for people in LMICs. All reagents, models, and data will be shared on CEPI approved platforms.