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SASKATOON – Today, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) announced positive interim results from its Phase 1 clinical trial for COVAC-2, the vaccine candidate of the sub- VIDO’s COVID-19 unit.
Provisional data from the study conducted by the Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV) shows that COVAC-2 is safe and well tolerated. The most frequently reported systemic reaction was a headache and the most notable local reaction was mild pain at the injection site. These reactions are common after most vaccinations.
Importantly, even the lowest dose of vaccine tested significantly increased participants’ antibody levels, including neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Neutralizing antibodies are associated with protection.
“Data continue to demonstrate the safety of our COVAC-2 subunit vaccine,” said Dr Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO of VIDO. “We are encouraged by the vaccine’s ability to generate a significant immune response, even at the lowest dose tested. “
COVAC-2 is a protein subunit vaccine. Subunit vaccines contain purified viral proteins that are not infectious, and the technology offers many advantages, including a history of safety and ease of storage and transport. The vaccine is formulated with Sepivac SWE ™, an adjuvant developed by Seppic and the Vaccine Formulation Institute (VFI). An adjuvant is an ingredient that enhances the immune response of a vaccine.
Participants continue to be recruited for the clinical trial at CCfV in Halifax, and a new clinical trial site will also open in Saskatoon later this summer. If you are 18 years of age or older and have not been infected with COVID-19 or have received an authorized COVID-19 vaccine and would like to volunteer, please contact the Clinical Trials Support Unit at [email protected] or 306-978-8300 (in Saskatchewan) or by email at [email protected] (in Nova Scotia).
“We are delighted to partner with VIDO to open this study site in Saskatoon,” said principal investigator Dr. Stephen Sanche. “We are grateful to those in Saskatchewan who have already reached out to express their interest and are looking for more volunteers to complete the study. “
The development of VIDO’s COVID-19 vaccine is supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan. Operations are supported by the Government of Saskatchewan through Innovation Saskatchewan and the Canada Foundation for Innovation through their Major Science Initiatives Fund.
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