Covid-19: Virus-like particle vaccine to be trialled in Queensland
A world-first trial on a possible “next-generation” Covid-19 vaccine will soon begin right here in Queensland. HERE’S HOW TO JOIN THE TRIAL
A new Covid-19 vaccine could be used as a “booster” with a world-first clinical trial set to get underway in Queensland.
Scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast are hopeful the possible next-generation vaccine will provide better protection against the virus.
The study will recruit participants who have completed a full course of a Covid-19 vaccination.
The USC clinics at Morayfield and Sippy Downs will be the first locations globally to trial the virus-like particle vaccine produced by American company Icosavax.
USC Clinical Trials' Principal Investigator Dr Rob Scott will oversee the trial, which aims to identify the optimal dose and safety of the vaccine that has been produced using nanoparticle technology.
“The technology is different to both Pfizer and AstraZeneca – it’s a protein based vaccine that’s what’s called a viral-like particle,” he said.
“So it’s essentially, two different proteins when mixed together they bind into a three-dimensional structure that stimulates the immune response.
“We know that viral-like particle vaccines typically induce a really strong immune response and quite a robust immune response.”
If effective, this type of vaccine could be used to treat new coronavirus strains as they emerge.
It isn’t the first time Queensland has seen this type of technology used in vaccinations, having been used in HPV vaccine, Gardasil.
“It’s been used in … some hepatitis B vaccines and is under development for a number of different other disease including malaria and of course Covid-19,” Dr Scott said.
Dr Scott said the study is being conducted in two parts to assess the strength of the product as both a vaccine and a booster.
“Part one of the study is underway currently but we’re currently trying to start up the part two,” he said.
“The specifics for part two of the vaccine study are that we’re looking for people who completed their primary vaccination … around the end of May, early June.
“This part of the study is examining how the vaccine performs as a booster, so on top of people who have had their primary vaccination.
“There is some emerging evidence that some of the primary vaccinations that we are using may be waning somewhat in their protective effect so it’s really timely that we’re starting up this process now.
“There’s currently no guidance that people need a booster but this is what the research is trying to find out.”
The first part of the study examined Icosavax performance as a primary vaccination.
“(It was administered) as a two-dose vaccination so we’re still waiting for the preliminary findings to be released,” Dr Scott said.
“This is an early phase, we’re looking at safety primarily, measures of effectiveness will come in later phase trials.”
Dr Scott said it was crucial to provide alternatives during this significant pandemic.
“We know that one company cannot manufacture enough product for everybody,” he said.
“And with the changes in the variants, new vaccines are going to need to be developed and retargeted.
“If we’ve got a number of different types of technology aimed at that problem we’ve got the best chances of success.”
USC Clinical Trials director Lucas Litewka said the need for new and continuing research into potential COVID-19 vaccines was fundamental to improving our pandemic response and preparedness.
“We hope to build upon our experience in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials to partner on this new and innovative vaccine technology,” he said.
The study will require around 84 healthy participants aged 18 to 69.
The trial is open to those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 and requires that participants attend about eight clinic visits and answer three phone calls over a seven-month period.
Participants will be reimbursed for their time and travel costs related to the study.
Those interested can visit the USC clinical trials website.
