Scientists develop 'ultrapotent' COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Scientists have developed a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 that produces "extremely high levels" of protective antibodies in animal models, an vance that may le to a vel rapeutic to curb pandemic.

According to researchers, including those from University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine in US, naparticle vaccine produces virus-neutralising antibodies in mice at levels much greater than is seen in people who have recovered from disease.

study, published in journal Cell, ted that it generates ten times more neutralising antibodies in mice, even at a six-fold lower vaccine dose, and also shows a strong B-cell immune response after ministration, which can be critical for a durable vaccine effect.

When a single nhuman primate was immunised with vaccine, scientists said candidate rapeutic produced neutralising antibodies targeting multiple different sites on spike protein of coronavirus, which it uses to enter human cells.

y said this may ensure protection against mutated strains of virus, should y arise.

According to study, molecular structure of vaccine roughly mimics that of a virus, which may account for its enhanced ability to provoke an immune response.

"We hope that our naparticle platform may help fight this pandemic that is causing so much dam to our world," said Neil King, a co-author of study from UW Medicine.

" potency, stability, and manufacturability of this vaccine candidate differentiate it from many ors under investigation," King said.