AI-designed universal coronavirus vaccine passes first human trial
A University of Cambridge team and spinout DIOSynVax report that an AI-designed universal coronavirus vaccine passed its first human safety trial in 39 volunteers, with no significant side effects. The shot triggered immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, SARS and related bat viruses. A
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and spinout DIOSynVax used machine learning to design a single super-antigen carrying features shared across the whole Sarbeco coronavirus family. In a first-in-human Phase 1 trial of 39 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 50, the needle-free DNA vaccine was safe and triggered immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, SARS and related bat viruses not yet seen in humans. It is the first vaccine whose active ingredient was designed entirely by computer simulations to be tested in people. Published in the Journal of Infection. A larger Phase 2 trial is planned. Sources: University of Cambridge / ScienceDaily, News-Medical, Journal of Infection.