Technology
Universal oral COVID-19 vaccine protects hamsters in study
A study in Microbiology Spectrum in March 2023 demonstrated the benefits of an oral vaccine for COVID-19 that could “dramatically improve immunisation rates”.
Vaxxinity starts trial of LDL cholesterol vaccine candidate
Vaxxinity announced that the first subjects of a Phase I trial had been dosed. The trial of VXX-401 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity
SpyBiotech granted funding for SpyVector platform project
SpyBiotech, a biotechnology company spin out from the University of Oxford, announced in March 2023 that it had received a grant of $4,094,561
GSK’s 5-in-1 Meningococcal vaccine shows promise in trial
In March 2023 GSK announced positive headline results from a Phase III trial evaluating its MenABCWY combination vaccine candidate.
Exclusive interview with Dr Ike James
With just weeks to go until the World Vaccine Congress in Washington this April, we are delighted to continue sharing interviews from our exclusive series.
Pfizer “encouraged” by VRBPAC vote on RSV candidate
In February 2023, a few days after the FDA requested further studies into the link between GBS and its RSV vaccine candidate, Pfizer announced that the FDA had voted that available data supports the “safety and effectiveness” of the vaccine. The Vaccines and Related...
FDA requests research into Pfizer’s RSV GBS risk
Following the FDA’s acceptance for review of a Biologics License Application for Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate, the agency has asked for further studies into the connection between the vaccine and cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)....
LinKinVax welcomes HIV candidate Phase I results
In February 2023 LinKinVax announced positive interim results from the ANRS VRI06 Phase I trial, evaluating a preventative HIV vaccine. This was conducted by sponsor INSERM-ANRS and the Vaccine Research Insititute. LinKinVax reports that the candidate is “safe” and...
When pigs fly – or vaccinate themselves against Salmonella
The complex process of vaccinating pigs is time consuming and requires direct interaction between humans and animals, or so we thought. A study in Nature Scientific Reports in February 2023 details a successful study investigating the possibility of presenting pigs...
Funding Australian efforts for mRNA Strep A vaccine
The University of Queensland, Australia, announced in February 2023 that a university-led research effort had secured almost $8 million in philanthropic funding. The researchers are trying to develop an mRNA vaccine against Group A Streptococcus (Strep A), with the...
Synthetic squalene: a sustainable alternative to shark?
An article in npj vaccine in February 2023 explores the role of squalene in vaccine development and how a synthetic alternative, squalane, opens new doors. The authors, from the US, suggest that although squalene is a useful addition to vaccine composition, the...
World Vaccine Congress Washington: meet our start-ups!
As we get closer to the World Vaccine Congress in Washington our introductions to the start-up zone continue! This time we are pleased to present the final round of start-ups that have signed up so far: the Vs of the start-up zone. If you are interested in joining...
US researchers develop platform for viral pathogens
Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health announced in 2023 that they had developed a new and “highly adaptable” vaccine platform with potential applications in the fight against viral pathogens. A study, published in Science Advances in January,...
Moderna announces “mixed” interim flu results
In February 2023 Moderna announced interim results from its Phase III safety and immunogenicity trial of mRNA-1010 (P301). This mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine was tested in adults over the age of 18 in the Southern Hemisphere. It achieved “superiority on...
CEPI supports Sudan ebolavirus antibody standard
In February 2023 CEPI announced that it was supporting the development of an international antibody standard against Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) following the recent outbreak in Uganda, declared over in January. This will be a “critical tool” to “assess and compare the...
Bavarian Nordic announces Emergent travel vaccine agreement
In February 2023 Bavarian Nordic announced that it has entered into an agreement with Emergent BioSolutions to acquire to marketed travel vaccines and a Phase III candidate. The acquisition also includes “facilities and key personnel related to the acquired assets”....
World Vaccine Congress Washington: meet our start-ups!
With just 7 weeks until the World Vaccine Congress in Washington in April we are still announcing the amazing start-ups registered so far. This week we are pleased to introduce the S-U of the start-up zone! If you are interested in joining your colleagues in the...
Vaxart announces start of Phase II norovirus trial
In February 2023 Vaxart announced that it had dosed its first subject in the Phase II clinical trial of an oral tablet bivalent norovirus candidate. The trial is a dose-ranging study to identify a vaccine dose for a potential Phase III trial. This step comes as public...
US and Novavax announce modified COVID-19 agreement
In February 2023 Novavax and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a modification to their existing agreement, in collaboration with the Defence Department, to deliver up to 1.5 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted...
New diagnostic test identifies virus types and strains
Researchers from the University of Oxford announced in February 2023 that they had developed a new diagnostic test to replace current methods for virus detection. The paper, published in ACS Nano, explores how machine learning can improve diagnosis of not only...
