According to Codagenix, a Phase 1 dose escalation trial of its COVI-VAC intranasal vaccine against COVID-19 in healthy adults has demonstrated “promising safety and immunogenicity results.” Codagenix and Serum Institute of India initiated the Phase 1 trial in December 2020. Based on the Phase 1 data, the company said that it plans to advance COVI-VAC into Phase 2/3 trials.
Codagenix CEO J. Robert Coleman commented, “The topline safety and immunogenicity data generated in our Phase 1 trial are highly encouraging and demonstrate potential for a live-attenuated vaccine that is safe, immunogenic and uniquely capable of blocking nasal replication of the virus. Our vaccine candidate appears able to block surrogate SARS-CoV-2 replication in the nose before it reaches the lower airways or lungs. This is likely achieved by stimulating both a systemic and mucosal immune response, highlighting the value of an intranasal, live-attenuated vaccine model. These data clearly support our ongoing acceleration into Phase 2/3 trials and we look forward to advancing COVI-VAC as a contributor in the continuing global fight against COVID-19.”
Scientific advisory board member Stanley Plotkin, Emeritus Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said, “Codagenix’s codon deoptimization platform holds enormous potential to bridge the proven efficacy of live-attenuated vaccine technologies with the enhanced safety and scalability necessary to address the coronavirus pandemic at a global level. Furthermore, COVI-VAC’s unique intranasal design can be reliably delivered using basic refrigeration, making it a critical candidate to expand access to vaccines to areas in critical need of COVID-19 mitigation around the world.”
Read the Codagenix press release.
