An enveloped virus-like particle vaccine expressing a stabilized prefusion form of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits highly potent immunity

• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.034
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16T06:34:14Z
• Authors: Anne-Catherine Fl...; Barthelemy Ontsouka; Jasminka Bozic; Abebaw Diress; Tanvir Ahmed; Tamara Berthoud; Anh Tran; Diane Duque; Mingmin Liao; Michael McCluskie; Francisco Diaz-Mi...; David E. Anderson; Catalina Soare
• Keywords: spike protein; Coronavirus; Virus-like particle; Nidovirales; Antibody titer

We evaluated enveloped virus-like particles (eVLPs) expressing various forms of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and several adjuvants in an effort to identify a highly potent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate. eVLPs modified prefusion form SARS-CoV-2 were selected as they induced high antibody binding titers neutralizing activity after single injection mice. Formulation S with aluminum phosphate resulted balanced induction IgG2 IgG1 isotypes neutralization undiminished for more than 3 months immunization. A dose this candidate, named VBI-2902a, protected Syrian golden hamsters from challenge supports on-going clinical evaluation VBI-2902a against COVID-19.