Singapore Scientists Prepare Covid-19 Vaccine Modified Results of Cancer Drugs

JawaPos.com – Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Monash University in Australia are developing a Covid-19 vaccine that is ready for clinical trials by the end of next year. The vaccine is modified from a cancer drug.

Reporting from The Straits Times, Monday (21/9), a series of preparations have arrived at animal studies. The researchers hope to carry out clinical trials in Singapore and Australia. Named Clec9A-RBD, this is the third Covid-19 virus vaccine developed by Singapore.

Known as a fusion protein vaccine, this vaccine is made by combining antibodies that target parts of the immune system with antigens, which induce an immune response to protect against selected pathogens. Therefore, scientists can rely on the same antibody to fight different diseases simply by replacing the antigen attached to them.

Research Associate Professor, Mireille Lahoud, of the Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute told The Straits Times on Sunday that the antibodies in Clec9A-RBD have previously been used to make vaccines against various diseases. Such as cancer, influenza, and diseases of the hands, feet and mouth. So when the pandemic hit in February, he and two other researchers decided to use it to create a vaccine that could fight Covid-19.

The vaccine targets specific parts of the immune system known as dendritic cells. These cells take a sample of parts of the environment around them and mark a danger to other immune systems.

“If you want to give vaccines or immunotherapy, those are the cells you want to target,” said Prof Lahoud.

Researchers developed a protein that binds to receptors on these cells, teaching the immune system to fight Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. There are 3 main things that differentiate this vaccine from others in the global race.

“First, this vaccine is very good at stimulating a weakened immune system in the elderly,” said another researcher, Sylvie Alonso from the department of microbiology and immunology at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Sylvie Alonso, who co-leads the school’s translational infectious disease research program, is targeting the vaccine to be as effective in older people as it is in young people. The vaccine has already been tested in animal models run by the team, with antibody levels observed in young and old mice that were injected with the vaccine.

Second, each vaccine requires only one dose and a small amount of antigen because of the targeted delivery system. Usually when you inject a vaccine, you wait for the immune system to catch it.

“One injection will also count. So the person doesn’t have to come back a second time to get another dose, ”said Sylvie Alonso.

Third, because of its properties as a fusion protein vaccine, Clec9A-RBD can potentially be adapted to fight not only Sars-CoV-2, but also coronavirus mutations and other new diseases in the future. The researchers are currently seeking approval and funding to continue their research, and intend to approach health authorities in both countries in the coming months.

Watch the interesting video below:

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Editor: Edy Pramana

Reporter: Marieska Harya Virdhani