‘True grit’: Re-engineered UQ Covid vax set for human trials
The University of Queensland clamp technology that was knocked out of the race to develop a Covid vaccine in 2020 has been re-engineered.
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The University of Queensland clamp technology that was knocked out of the race to develop a Covid vaccine in 2020 is back bigger and better than ever and set for human trials early next year.
Scientists have re-engineered the clamp, which has been dubbed Clamp2, so there is no diagnostic interference. The original vaccine was put on hold when recipients in the human trial falsely tested positive to HIV.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) will provide up to $8.5m to support the development of the improved technology, which will be used in future disease outbreaks across a variety of viruses.
The clinical batch of the Clamp2 vaccine will be manufactured at the National Biologics Facility (NBF) housed within UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
Associate Professor Keith Chappell, co-leader of UQ’s Rapid Response Vaccine Pipeline, said preclinical testing has shown the Clamp2 platform was meeting all expectations, producing stabilised antigens and inducing strong neutralising immune responses.
“We have been able to validate the Clamp2 platform in the laboratory and show that it is equivalent to the original platform across multiple virus families including influenza virus, Nipah virus and SARS- CoV-2,” Assoc Prof Chappell said.
“Importantly, this re-engineered technology does not pose any issue with diagnostic interference as was encountered in 2020. This progress has been possible through the continuing support from CEPI, the Queensland and Australian Governments and philanthropic partners.”
Dr Melanie Saville, executive director of Vaccine R&D at CEPI, said the UQ team had demonstrated true grit and the power of the scientific process to yield tangible advances in vaccinology.
“The second-generation molecular clamp vaccine technology that UQ have developed could provide the world with an additional tool to rapidly respond to future pandemic threats,” she said.
Associate Professor Dan Watterson, who spearheaded the successful Clamp2 redesign, said it was important for people to understand the ultimate aim was not to rush a new Covid vaccine to market.
“This is about the role this technology could play in safeguarding against future pandemics, and ensuring we have an Australian-based rapid response vaccine pipeline and the team and
infrastructure ready to deliver clinical-grade material should it be needed in the future,” Dr
Watterson said.
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