Clover Biopharmaceuticals’ combination vaccines for respiratory diseases have posted positive data during a Phase II trial in older recipients – a development the Chinese biotech says could highlight its “best-in-class” protective capacity.
In the multi-centre mid-stage study, which was conducted in Australia and recruited 420 adults aged between 60 and 85 years of age, Clover pitted the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity profile of two of its pipeline respiratory vaccines against a placebo. This includes SCB-1022 – a dual respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) shot – as well as SCB-1033, which Clover designed to protect against RSV, hMPV and Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3). Participants received either SCB-1022, SCB-1033 or placebo in a randomised fashion.
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At 28 days after vaccination, recipients of each vaccine experienced a notable increase in neutralising antibodies for RSV, hMPV and PIV3, with those over 75 experiencing no drop-off in antibody responses compared with the younger participants. The addition of PIV3 to the combination also triggered no related immune interference on the activity of RSV and hMPV neutralising antibodies.
On top of its promising immunogenicity profile, participants given the vaccines experienced a 62% lower rate of respiratory tract infections over those in the placebo group 28 days after vaccination, as based on adverse event (AE) reporting. This came despite a significant RSV outbreak in Australia, which coincided with study enrolment and the trial’s follow-up period.
Participants also tolerated both vaccines well. The most common side effects were mild and transient – lasting around two days after administration across the vaccine and placebo groups.
Next steps for the vaccine duo
Based on these positive results, Clover plans to forge ahead with its mid-to-late-stage development plans for SCB-1022 and SCB-1033. The biotech will also seek out global partnership opportunities to maximise the value of its respiratory vaccine candidates.
According to Clover’s CEO and board director, Joshua Liang, this Phase II data highlights the differential potential of its combination candidates, which he says allows for the “re-vaccination of individuals previously receiving approved RSV vaccines to restore and broaden protection.”
Clover progresses its investigational shots as respiratory viruses continue to place a significant burden on public health across the globe. While common viruses like RSV do not tend to be fatal in the general population, they can cause severe respiratory disease in elderly people. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that RSV leads to 3.6 million hospitalisations annually.
According to GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, Sanofi’s long-acting RSV vaccine, Beyfortus (nirsevimab), is currently the top-seller in this indication – generating $2bn in revenue during 2025. Analysts forecast the drug’s sales success will continue to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% up to 2032.
GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.
