Up next in our series of conversations with experts from The World Vaccine Congress in Washington is an interview with GeoVax’s Dr Mark Newman, who joined us for COVID and Beyond track to discuss “vaccine induction of broadly-specific antibody and T-cell responses to combat SARS-CoV-2 variation”. Dr Newman is a PhD immunologist and GeoVax’s Chief Scientific Officer, overseeing “pretty much all of the programmes” from early stage to clinical trials.
Serving immunocompromised people
Our first question addresses the recent FDA emergency use authorisation of a monoclonal antibody for immunocompromised people and how this relates to GeoVax’s vaccine. Dr Newman suggests that it is a “competitor product within the space”.
“The first generation vaccines are very effective for the general population, but there are certain segments of the population, cancer treatment patients, transplant patients, who aren’t responding properly.”
In response to this need, Dr Newman and his team are using a “niche approach” with a different technology.
“It’s based on viral vector…we know that it’s immunogenic in most of these individuals, and it’s also safe.”
The antibody treatment is also for individuals who “can’t necessarily raise good immune responses on their own”. However, they are “very, very specific” and have to be “adjusted to the new variant” over time. GeoVax targets more of a T-cell immune response, which are “not variable as the virus evolves”.
“Ideally you won’t need the antibodies if the vaccine works well.”
Next generation needs
We then consider the need for next generation vaccines for COVID-19. Dr Newman acknowledges that the first generation, while “very effective”, focus “solely on the S protein”. Although this is the “dominant antigen, the correct target to start with”, it’s a “highly variable” target. Furthermore, the response induced by these vaccines is not as durable as needed.
“So next-generation vaccines are being defined: will broaden the immune response, it will induce T-cell responses as well as antibody responses, and will induce more durable immune responses.”
GeoVax takes this further by providing for “unique populations” who need them.
“We didn’t define the next-generation world…the first generation worked very well, but with limitations, the next generations going to try and correct those.”
Other pipeline products
Our penultimate question explores recent progress for the GeoVax team, and the other programmes in the pipeline. Dr Newman tells us that the COVID programme has moved through a Phase I trial, but there are also three Phase II trials ongoing.
“We’re targeting both niche market or populations where you’re not getting good responses to the vaccine but also as a normal booster.”
While data look “good” at this stage, Dr Newman anticipates the “critical milestones” to come. Apart from COVID, the technology can be deployed for “multiple vaccines”. These include efforts against Ebola viruses, with results to be published soon.
Why WVC?
Finally, we ask Dr Newman about the Congress itself and what he was hoping to achieve while he was with us in Washington. He appreciates the “heavy on the science” opportunity to meet other scientists and hear their stories as well as the “great” exhibition floor where he and the team could meet with contractors and suppliers.
“This is a one-stop shop for us! This is the best one of the year.”
It’s great that Dr Newman and his team are returning to the event and we hope that they continue to do so. Thank you to Dr Newman for his time; we hope that you enjoy the conversation.
For more conversations with our experts from the Congress in April do make sure you subscribe for weekly updates here!
