COVID-19 research at University of Queensland produces first vaccine candidate

In three weeks, researchers at Australia’s University of Queensland have produced a vaccine candidate for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and have moved it to further development.

Part of the larger Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) rapid response program, the effort has so far demonstrated the feasibility of a technology known as a molecular clamp. This technology was used to engineer a vaccine candidate that researchers hope will be more recognizable by the body’s immune system and trigger a more robust immune response. While formal pre-clinical testing is still a ways off, the efforts at least demonstrate a proof of concept.

The next step will be to produce the vaccine on a larger scale for additional testing and determine its actual efficacy against COVID-19.

“There is still extensive testing to ensure that the vaccine candidate is safe and creates an effective immune response, but the technology and the dedication of these researchers means the first hurdle has been passed,” said Peter Høj, vice-chancellor and president at the University of Queensland, touting the considerable progress and long hours sunk into the project.

The research team will continue to operate under an accelerated timetable going forward, with the hopes of achieving investigational clinical testing sometime after the middle of the year. In this way, it is one of only three programs worldwide initiated by CEPI for rapid mobilization.