Application
Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)- and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based vaccine for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Key Benefits
- Safety profile is known.
- Demonstrated antiviral activity against related Coronaviruses.
- Single dose of vaccination was shown to be effective against related Coronaviruses in animal models.
- Induces both antibodies and killer T cells.
Market Summary
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. COVID-19 can cause respiratory illness with symptoms including cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Currently, there are no treatments or vaccines for this COVID-19 and it is the center of the current pandemic.
Technical Summary
Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is an attenuated poxvirus that is frequently used as viral vector. Given this impressive safety record, combined with the capacity to encode genes of interest of up to 10 kb in size, MVA holds promise as a vaccine vector. MVA based vaccines against SARS and MERS have been shown to provide protection in mice. Emory researchers are developing an MVA-based vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. This prophylactic vaccine expresses SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in different forms to generate a rapid and strong neutralizing antibody response both in systemic and mucosal compartments. The researchers are also working to develop a DNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Developmental Stage
The vaccine has been generated and is currently being tested in animals.
Publication: Routhu, N. K. et al. (2020). bioRxiv, 2020.06.27.175166.
