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Petrovsky N. Clinical development of SpikoGen®, an Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvanted recombinant spike protein vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2363016. [PMID: 38839044 PMCID: PMC11155708 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2363016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recombinant protein vaccines represent a well-established, reliable and safe approach for pandemic vaccination. SpikoGen® is a recombinant spike protein trimer manufactured in insect cells and formulated with Advax-CpG55.2 adjuvant. In murine, hamster, ferret and non-human primate studies, SpikoGen® consistently provided protection against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants. A pivotal Phase 3 placebo-controlled efficacy trial involving 16,876 participants confirmed the ability of SpikoGen® to prevent infection and severe disease caused by the virulent Delta strain. SpikoGen® subsequently received a marketing authorization from the Iranian FDA in early October 2021 for prevention of COVID-19 in adults. Following a successful pediatric study, its approval was extended to children 5 years and older. Eight million doses of SpikoGen® have been delivered, and a next-generation booster version is currently in development. This highlights the benefits of adjuvanted protein-based approaches which should not overlook when vaccine platforms are being selected for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Petrovsky
- Research Department, Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute Ltd, Adelaide, Australia
- Research Department, Vaxine Pty Ltd, Warradale, Australia
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2
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Ji J, Tang T, Zhu M, Wu Z, Zhang J, Shi D, Zhu L, Zhang X, Lu X, Chen L, Yao H. Boosting the immune response in COVID-19 vaccines via an Alum:CpG complex adjuvant. Antiviral Res 2024; 229:105954. [PMID: 38964615 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Selecting appropriate adjuvants is crucial for developing an effective vaccine. However, studies on the immune responses triggered by different adjuvants in COVID-19 inactivated vaccines are scarce. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of Alum, CpG HP021, Alum combined with CpG HP021 (Alum/CpG), or MF-59 adjuvants with COVID-19 inactivated vaccines in K18-hACE2 mice, and compared the different immune responses between K18-hACE2 and BALB/c mice. In K18-hACE2 mice, the Alum/CpG group produced a 6.5-fold increase in anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG antibody titers compared to the Alum group, and generated a comparable level of antibodies even when the antigen amount was reduced by two-thirds, possibly due to the significant activation of germinal center (GC) structures in the central region of the spleen. Different adjuvants induced a variety of binding antibody isotypes. CpG HP021 and Alum/CpG were biased towards Th1/IgG2c, while Alum and MF-59 were biased toward Th2/IgG1. Cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α were significantly increased in the culture supernatants of splenocytes specifically stimulated in the Alum/CpG group. The antibody responses in BALB/c mice were similar to those in K18-hACE2 mice, but with lower levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Notably, the Alum/CpG-adjuvanted inactivated vaccine induced a higher number of T cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, increased the percentage of effector memory T (TEM) cells among CD8+ T cells, and effectively protected K18-hACE2 mice from Delta variant challenge. Our results showed that Alum/CpG complex adjuvant significantly enhanced the immune response to inactivated COVID-19 antigens and could induce a long-lasting immune response.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology
- COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Mice
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Alum Compounds/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- COVID-19/prevention & control
- COVID-19/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Adjuvants, Vaccine/administration & dosage
- Female
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Vaccines, Inactivated/immunology
- Vaccines, Inactivated/administration & dosage
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Cytokines/immunology
- Humans
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Taoming Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Miaojin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jiale Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Danrong Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Linwei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiaodi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiangyun Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Zhejiang Toyouvax Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 311103, China
| | - Hangping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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3
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Xiao E, Mirabel C, Clénet D, Zhu S, James A, Ettorre L, Williams T, Szeto J, Rahman N, Ausar SF. Formulation Development of a COVID-19 Recombinant Spike Protein-Based Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:830. [PMID: 39203956 PMCID: PMC11360652 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a formulation for a recombinant prefusion spike protein vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. It was found that the spike protein was susceptible to aggregation due to mechanical stress. Therefore, formulation studies were initiated focused on screening pharmaceutical excipients capable of preventing this. The screening of a panel of potential stabilizing conditions found that Tween 20 could inhibit mechanically induced aggregation. A concentration-dependent study indicated that a higher concentration of Tween 20 (0.2% v/v) was required to prevent conformational changes in the trimer. The conformational changes induced by mechanical stress were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), indicating the formation of an extended trimeric conformation that was also unable to bind to antibodies directed to the S2 domain. Long-term stability modeling, using advanced kinetic analysis, indicated that the formulation containing 0.2% (v/v) Tween 20 at a neutral pH was predicted to be stable for at least two years at 2 °C to 8 °C. Additional stabilizer screening conducted by thermal shift assay indicated that sucrose and glycerol were able to significantly increase the spike protein melting temperature (Tm) and improve the overall thermostability of the spike protein in a short-term stability study. Thus, while 0.2% (v/v) Tween 20 was sufficient to prevent aggregation and to maintain spike protein stability under refrigeration, the addition of sucrose further improved vaccine thermostability. Altogether, our study provides a systematic approach to the formulation of protein-based COVID-19 vaccine and highlights the impact of mechanical stress on the conformation of the spike protein and the significance of surfactants and stabilizers in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Xiao
- Global Vaccine Drug Product Development, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (C.M.); (N.R.)
| | - Clémentine Mirabel
- Global Vaccine Drug Product Development, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (C.M.); (N.R.)
| | - Didier Clénet
- Global Vaccine Drug Product Development, Sanofi, 1541 Avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280 Marcy-L’Étoile, France;
| | - Shaolong Zhu
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (S.Z.); (L.E.); (T.W.); (J.S.)
| | - Andrew James
- External Research and Development, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada;
| | - Luciano Ettorre
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (S.Z.); (L.E.); (T.W.); (J.S.)
| | - Trevor Williams
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (S.Z.); (L.E.); (T.W.); (J.S.)
| | - Jason Szeto
- Analytical Sciences, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (S.Z.); (L.E.); (T.W.); (J.S.)
| | - Nausheen Rahman
- Global Vaccine Drug Product Development, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (C.M.); (N.R.)
| | - Salvador Fernando Ausar
- Global Vaccine Drug Product Development, Sanofi, 1755 Steeles Avenue West, Toronto, ON M2R 3T4, Canada; (C.M.); (N.R.)
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Kirsebom FCM, Andrews N, Stowe J, Dabrera G, Ramsay M, Lopez Bernal J. Effectiveness of the Sanofi/GSK (VidPrevtyn Beta) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5) bivalent vaccines against hospitalisation in England. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 71:102587. [PMID: 38618208 PMCID: PMC11015482 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Sanofi/GSK AS03-adjuvanted (VidPrevtyn Beta) vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5) bivalent vaccine were offered to adults aged 75 years and over in England from 3rd April 2023. This is the first time an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine has been administered as part of a UK COVID-19 vaccination programme. In clinical trials, antibody levels generated were comparable with mRNA vaccines but there are no real-world data on the effectiveness or duration of protection. Methods We used a test-negative case-control study design to estimate the incremental vaccine effectiveness of the Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer bivalent BA.4-5 boosters against hospitalisation amongst those aged 75 years and older in England. Cases (those testing positive) and controls (those testing negative) were identified from the national COVID-19 PCR testing data undertaken in hospital settings. The study period included tests from 3rd April 2023 to 27th August 2023. Tests were linked to the COVID-19 vaccination register and to the national hospital admission database, restricting to those with an acute respiratory infection coded in the primary diagnosis field. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated using multivariable logistic regression amongst those who had last received an autumn 2022 booster given at least 3 months prior. The test result was the outcome and vaccination status the exposure. Analyses were adjusted for week of test, gender, age, clinical risk group status, care home resident status, region, index of multiple deprivation, ethnicity, influenza vaccination status and recent COVID-19 positivity. Findings There were 14,169 eligible tests from hospitalised individuals aged 75 years and older; 3005 cases (positive tests) and 11,164 controls (negative tests). Effectiveness was highest in the period 9-13 days post vaccination for both manufacturers at about 50%; 43.7% (95% CI, 20.1-60.3%) and 56.1% (95% CI, 25.2-74.2%) for Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer BA.4-5, respectively. There was evidence of waning with a reduction to about 30% for both manufacturers after 5-9 weeks. The longest time interval post vaccination for which we were able to estimate effectiveness was 10+ weeks post vaccination, at which point vaccine effectiveness was 17.6% (95% CI, -3.6 to 34.5%) and 37.9% (95% CI, 13.2-55.5%) for the Sanofi/GSK and Pfizer BA.4-5 boosters, respectively. Interpretation Both boosters provided good protection against hospitalisation amongst older adults. The finding that the adjuvanted vaccine targeting the distant Beta strain had similar effectiveness to the bivalent mRNA vaccine targeting more closely matched Omicron sub-lineages is notable and highlights the need for further real-world studies into the effectiveness of vaccines from different vaccine platforms and formulations in the presence of matched and unmatched strains. Funding No external funding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nick Andrews
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Stowe
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mary Ramsay
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Lopez Bernal
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines and Immunisation, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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5
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Files JK, Goepfert PA. Messenger RNA Vaccine Technology: Success for SARS-CoV-2 and Prospects for an HIV-1 Vaccine. TOPICS IN ANTIVIRAL MEDICINE 2024; 32:420-430. [PMID: 39141920 PMCID: PMC11293605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Over the past several years, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has evolved from a term familiar only to vaccine scientists into one easily recognized by much of the general population. This change occurred because of the remarkable success of effective and safe mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic that saved countless lives. Although mRNA vaccine technology has a clear use for combating future emerging diseases, its role in fighting currently known pathogens, such as HIV-1, is not well defined. This review summarizes mRNA vaccine technology, highlighting its success during the COVID-19 pandemic. It then addresses past and current efforts to develop a vaccine for HIV-1, including how mRNA vaccine technology has created opportunities in the ongoing search for an effective HIV-1 vaccine.
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Planas D, Peng L, Zheng L, Guivel-Benhassine F, Staropoli I, Porrot F, Bruel T, Bhiman JN, Bonaparte M, Savarino S, de Bruyn G, Chicz RM, Moore PL, Schwartz O, Sridhar S. Beta-variant recombinant booster vaccine elicits broad cross-reactive neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 including Omicron variants. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27033. [PMID: 38486776 PMCID: PMC10938114 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage contains variants with multiple sequence mutations relative to the ancestral strain particularly in the viral spike gene. These mutations are associated inter alia with loss of neutralization sensitivity to sera generated by immunization with vaccines targeting ancestral strains or prior infection with circulating (non-Omicron) variants. Here we present a comparison of vaccine formulation elicited cross neutralization responses using two different assay readouts from a subpopulation of a Phase II/III clinical trial. Methods Human sera from a Phase II/III trial (NCT04762680) was collected and evaluated for neutralizing responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen protein vaccines formulated with AS03 adjuvant, following a primary series of two-doses of ancestral strain vaccine in individuals who were previously unvaccinated or as an ancestral or variant strain booster vaccine among individuals previously vaccinated with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Results We report that a neutralizing response to Omicron BA.1 is induced by the two-dose primary series in 89% of SARS-CoV-2-seronegative individuals. A booster dose of each vaccine formulation raises neutralizing antibody titers that effectively neutralizes Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 variants. Responses are highest after the monovalent Beta variant booster and similar in magnitude to human convalescent plasma titers. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest the possibility to generate greater breadth of cross-neutralization to more recently emerging viral variants through use of a diverged spike vaccine in the form of a Beta variant booster vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Peng
- Clinical Sciences and Operations, Sanofi, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jinal N. Bhiman
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Penny L. Moore
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Bruch EM, Zhu S, Szymkowicz L, Blake T, Kiss T, James DA, Rak A, Narayan K, Balmer MT, Chicz RM. Structural and biochemical rationale for Beta variant protein booster vaccine broad cross-neutralization of SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2038. [PMID: 38263191 PMCID: PMC10805794 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, uses a surface expressed trimeric spike glycoprotein for cell entry. This trimer is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies making it a key candidate for vaccine development. During the global pandemic circulating variants of concern (VOC) caused several waves of infection, severe disease, and death. The reduced efficacy of the ancestral trimer-based vaccines against emerging VOC led to the need for booster vaccines. Here we present a detailed characterization of the Sanofi Beta trimer, utilizing cryo-EM for structural elucidation. We investigate the conformational dynamics and stabilizing features using orthogonal SPR, SEC, nanoDSF, and HDX-MS techniques to better understand how this antigen elicits superior broad neutralizing antibodies as a variant booster vaccine. This structural analysis confirms the Beta trimer preference for canonical quaternary structure with two RBD in the up position and the reversible equilibrium between the canonical spike and open trimer conformations. Moreover, this report provides a better understanding of structural differences between spike antigens contributing to differential vaccine efficacy.
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