Researchers develop universal vaccine against coronavirus

Scientists from the Universities of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania have developed an innovative universal antigen to combat coronavirus, reports Innovanews.

A research team led by Suresh Kuchipudi, chair of infectious diseases and microbiology at Pitt’s School of Public Health, has developed a new mRNA vaccine that has a simplified production technology and can quickly adapt to changing viral strains. Unlike existing mRNA vaccines, the development of which requires a significant amount of active substance, the new vaccine uses a 40-fold smaller dose of mRNA, and this enables to considerably reduce the cost of this medicine.

During the research, scientists used the principle of dividing the genetic material of the vaccine into two main components: the antigen responsible for activating the immune system, and replicase, a pre-prepared enzyme that speeds up the vaccine production process. This approach, according to the authors, enables a rapid response to the emergence of new strains of the pathogen, since the replicase does not need constant renewal, and the change in the antigenic part is possible in the shortest possible time.

To develop a universal antigen, specialists carefully analyzed all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and selected a fragment of the spike protein, which is present in most current strains. Due to this, the vaccine is able to form immunity against a wide range of the coronavirus. Experiments on laboratory mice have confirmed that this drug causes a pronounced immune response, providing protection against various forms of the coronavirus.

Suresh Kuchipudi noted that the proposed technology can provide long-term protection without the need for regular updates of vaccines. He emphasized that a significant reduction in the required dose of mRNA opens up opportunities for cheaper production and greater availability of the vaccine. In addition, the researchers believe that the new method can be used to combat other dangerous viruses, including the H5N1 avian influenza strain.

The authors of the study published in the journal npj Vaccines noted that their aforesaid development can solve two main problems of modern mRNA vaccines at once: high cost due to high consumption of raw materials, and insufficient recovery rate in conditions of rapid evolution of the coronavirus. If the technology is successfully scaled up, it will considerably accelerate the development of new vaccines and increase their accessibility to the population.

The aforementioned research is currently in the preclinical phase, and the effectiveness and safety of this new vaccine in humans have not yet been proven. Also, the scientists noted that this universal antigen may not be as effective against individual strains, as its objective is to ensure the broadest possible coverage. According to Kuchipudi, this new approach could change the strategy for combating pandemics, and enable to prepare in advance for new such threats.

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