COVID 19: a rapidly scaleable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in insect cells

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The best validated approach to protect individuals against coronaviruses such as COVID-19 is to target the spike protein that surrounds the particle and which plays a key role in cellular attachment and virus cell entry. One of the safest ways to make spike protein for use in a vaccine is to use a production system based on a virus that can only grow in insect cells. This baculovirus can be reprogrammed to make the COVID-19 spike protein. Once the modified baculovirus is used to infect insect cells propagated in bioreactors, it results in the release of the spike protein into the liquid medium supporting growth of the cells. The spike protein can then be extracted, purified, mixed with an adjuvant and used as a vaccine. The adjuvant helps to stimulate immunity in those receiving the vaccine to ensure protection from COVID-19 and has the added advantage that it helps to protect against adverse vaccine reactions that may cause damage to the lungs. With our partner Vaxine Pty Ltd, a major vaccine company, we plan to have initial batches of COVID-19 vaccine produced for Phase 1 trials and processes designed for optimised large scale manufacture within 12 months.