Roadmap to developing a recombinant coronavirus S protein receptor-binding domain vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome

TLDR

A subunit vaccine, RBD‑S, is being developed to prevent SARS caused by SARS‑CoV, a category C pathogen per NIH. The goal is to induce neutralizing antibodies without Th2 immunopathology and to produce the RBD‑S vaccine for clinical testing within five years. The vaccine consists of a recombinant SARS‑CoV RBD formulated with alum and synthetic glucopyranosyl lipid A, and its development is led by a partnership of Sabin Vaccine Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, New York Blood Center, University of Texas Medical Branch, Immune Design Corporation, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Abstract

A subunit vaccine, RBD-S, is under development to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which is classified by the US NIH as a category C pathogen. This vaccine is comprised of a recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV spike (S) protein and formulated on alum, together with a synthetic glucopyranosyl lipid A. The vaccine would induce neutralizing antibodies without causing Th2-type immunopathology. Vaccine development is being led by the nonprofit product development partnership; Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development in collaboration with two academic partners (the New York Blood Center and University of Texas Medical Branch); an industrial partner (Immune Design Corporation); and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. A roadmap for the product development of the RBD-S SARS vaccine is outlined with a goal to manufacture the vaccine for clinical testing within the next 5 years.