Clinical Trial on Intranasal Coronavirus Vaccine Set to Start

Dutch vaccine specialist, Intravacc, is partnering with Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) for the development and evaluation of a new intranasal coronavirus vaccine candidate in a clinical Phase I/II study. The partnership was announced in a Jan. 5, 2022 press release.

The nasal spray vaccine, NANOVAC, has been based on soluble nano-spheres with synthetic corona proteins that protect the upper respiratory tract and prevent the virus from entering the lungs. As a result of the vaccine’s design, it is expected to be broadly protective and able to protect against multiple corona viruses.

Preclinical studies performed by LUMC’s Translational Nanomaterials and Imaging department have shown positive results with the nasal spray vaccine. The Phase I/II clinical study will involve healthy volunteers so that the safety and tolerability of the vaccine can be evaluated. It is expected that the clinical trial will start at the end of 2022 with preliminary data available early in 2023.

“I am particularly pleased with Intravacc's input in the development of this new nasal spray vaccine. This concept and Intravacc's own AVACC-10 vaccine are potential game-changers in the fight against COVID,” said Jan Groen, PhD, CEO of Intravacc in the press release. “According to renowned immunologist Professor Ed Lavelle, of Trinity College Dublin, transmission of the virus is best blocked where it enters the body. It is therefore preferable to administer the vaccine via a spray in the nose for direct immunization of the throat and nasal mucosa (2022 nose spray interview).”

Source: Intravacc