Clinical researchers will begin human trials of a new
coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Imperial College
London.
Beginning this week, the study will be the first time the
vaccine has been trialled in humans and will test whether it is
well-tolerated and produces an effective immune response against
COVID-19.
This latest milestone follows £41 million in government
funding towards the development of Imperial College London’s
vaccine. A further £5 million of philanthropic gifts, including
from hundreds of members of the public, has accelerated the
work. The trials will be the first test of a new
self-amplifying RNA technology, which has the potential to
revolutionise vaccine development and enable scientists to
respond more quickly to emerging diseases.
The vaccine has undergone rigorous pre-clinical safety
tests and has been shown to be safe and produced encouraging
signs of an effective immune response in animal studies. Over the
coming weeks, 300 healthy participants will receive two doses of
the vaccine.
Many traditional vaccines are based on a weakened or
modified form of virus, or parts of it, but the Imperial vaccine
is based on a new approach. It uses synthetic strands of genetic
code (called RNA), based on the virus’s genetic material.
If the vaccine shows a promising immune
response, then larger Phase III
trials would be planned to begin later in the year with around
6000 healthy volunteers to test its effectiveness.
Ultimately, the researchers hope that if clinical trials
are successful, the vaccine could provide protection against
COVID-19 both in the UK and around the world.
Professor Robin Shattock, from the Department of
Infectious Disease at Imperial and who is leading the work,
said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed
thousands of lives and had a huge impact on daily life. In the
long-term, a viable vaccine could be vital for protecting the
most vulnerable, enabling restrictions to be eased and helping
people to get back to normal life.
Business Secretary, ,
said: “I am incredibly proud the vaccine
being developed by Imperial College London is one of the world’s
front-runners. We are fully backing its research with over £40
million government funding, as part of our wider vaccines
development programme.
“The fast progress of Imperial’s vaccine is testament to
the ingenuity and tenacity of Britain’s researchers. If these
trials are successful a vaccine will not only help us tackle
coronavirus but also emerging diseases now and into the
future.
Kate Bingham, Vaccine Taskforce Chair,
said: “I am delighted that Imperial College
have so quickly advanced to the clinical trial stage. Their
self-amplifying technology has the potential to be a real
game-changer, not only for a COVID-19 vaccine but for the
development of future vaccines. It’s a great example of the
world-leading life sciences sector in this country.
“By backing Imperial College London and their alternative
vaccine platform, we have enhanced the UK’s vaccine portfolio,
increasing our chances of identifying a successful
vaccine.”
Notes to Editors
Key points
-
This is the first time the vaccine will be tested in
humans
-
The vaccine is based on synthetic strands of RNA, rather
than a part of the virus.
-
The final vaccine consists of RNA strands packaged inside
tiny fat droplets.
-
When injected, it instructs muscle cells to produce virus
proteins. It does not create copies of the virus and does not
cause changes to the cell’s own DNA.
-
The vaccine will be trialled in 300 healthy volunteers
aged between 18 to 70.
-
Participants will receive two doses of
the vaccine (one dose at two visits).
-
Participants will not be intentionally
exposed to live SARS CoV-2 virus at any point of the
trial.
-
Imperial has founded a social
enterprise VacEquity Global Health
(VGH) to distribute the vaccine.
For the UK and low-income countries abroad, Imperial
and VGH will waive royalties and charge only modest cost-plus
prices to sustain the enterprise’s work, accelerate global
distribution and support new research.
