OncoSec Medical has dosed several subjects in its Phase I clinical trial of vaccine candidate with an immunostimulatory cytokine, CORVax12, for treating Covid-19.
The CORVax12 vaccine approach combines the co-administration of OncoSec’s TAVO (tavokinogene telseplasmid) with a DNA-encodable version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein to boost the immunogenicity of the component developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center scientists.
A cancer immunotherapy candidate, TAVO is potent and well-characterised plasmid-based IL-12 cytokine.
This trial ‘CORVax12: SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) Protein Plasmid DNA Vaccine Trial for Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2)’ will evaluate the safety and anti-viral immunological responses of the combination of DNA-encodable stabilised SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with TAVO.
The open-label study will enrol 36 healthy participants, who will receive CORVax12 as a prime dose and a booster dose four weeks apart.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataVolunteers will be sub-divided into two parallel age groups of 18 to 55 and above 55.
CORVax12, the DNA vaccine, will be administered using the Cliniporator low-voltage gene electro-transfer platform, which was licensed exclusively in the US by OncoSec, recently.
As IL-12 provides coordinated cellular and humoral immunity, it could not only be a better vaccine but also significantly benefits cancer patients who may not mount on effective immune response using traditional vaccines.
According to the latest preclinical data, CORVax12 induced a strong immune response in mouse models by leading to the production of anti-spike IgG antibodies, which can disrupt spike protein’s receptor-binding domain.
Furthermore, CORVax12 administered into tumour tissue yields a productive anti-viral response as well as robust anti-tumour response.
OncoSec chief scientific officer Christopher Twitty said: “We are encouraged by the potential of CORVax12 as a next-generation vaccine to facilitate a long-lasting immune response.
“Immune compromised patients, such as those with cancer, may benefit from a vaccine option that not only drives an anti-tumour response but also creates lasting immunity to SARS-CoV2 by boosting their immune systems to mount a defence against Covid-19.”
Earlier, OncoSec dosed the first patient in an investigator-initiated Phase II trial, OMS-104, of Tavo in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) as a neoadjuvant therapy before surgery in patients with operable, locally, or regionally advanced melanoma.
