Supervaccine will protect humanity from future pandemics

A new experimental vaccine, Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle, promises to be science’s “superweapon” to fight future pandemics.

It is a new US Army experimental drug called SpFN developed at the Walter Reed Army Research Institute (WRAIR). Its action is identical to the vaccine Novavax, which was approved by the European Medicines Agency at the end of December.

According to Deutsche Welle, the basis of the SpFN vaccine is based on ferritin (a complex protein complex), which is associated with the accumulation of iron. The structure and composition of the new experimental agent make it easy to modify, and give a “signal” to the body to activate T-lymphocytes, thereby preventing the virus from multiplying.

Unlike mRNA vaccines developed against coronavirus, SpFN does not require storage in “super-minus” temperatures, which facilitates dosing. The drug is already being called a “supervaccine” and, according to the first data, it is able to fight both coronaviruses and possible future pandemics.

Successful experiments on monkeys

The first experimental vaccinations were given to monkeys. The vaccine caused the production of potent antibodies against four coronavirus mutations: alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and was also effective against the SARS-1 virus, which is significantly different from SARS-CoV-2. According to the first data, the vaccine seems to be effective against the Omicron mutation as well.

Successful trials in rhesus monkeys are followed by phase 1 clinical trials in humans. “The study aims to pave the way for a universal vaccine that will protect not only against the current virus, but also against future ones,” said Kevin Montgarard, one of the WRAIR researchers.

“So far, everything is going as we hoped,” he stressed. “The rise in human coronaviruses over the past two decades and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutations most recently, Omicron, highlight the continued need for next-generation vaccines that will provide broader protection against the disease,” Montgarard said.

According to White House medical adviser D. Anthony Fauci, the development of such a vaccine could prevent the next pandemic, he said in his speech to Congress, emphasizing “the need to invest in next-generation vaccines.”

objections

However, there are already objections to the new vaccine. Carsten Waltz, general secretary of the German Association of Immunologists, told Deutsche Welle that the new vaccine “needs to be clinically tested first” and “does not completely change the rules of the game” compared to known mRNA vaccines. The new vaccine also does not promise complete immunity. As with the mRNA vaccine, a new one will need to be repeated.

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