A new, non-invasive COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo.

The DNA-based vaccine will be delivered as a nasal spray and have both preventative and therapeutic effect.

Dr. Roderick Slavcev, a professor in the School of Pharmacy, explained Wednesday that the vaccine uses bacteriophage the process allows the vaccine to replicate within bacteria already in the body and is being designed to target tissues in the nasal cavity and lower respiratory tract.

Once complete, our DNA-based vaccine delivers nanomedicine engineered to immunize and decrease COVID-19 infections, said Slavcev, who specializes in designing vaccines, pharmaceuticals and gene-therapy treatments.

The genetic cargo to be delivered attaches to receptors in the respiratory tract, where COVID-19 would attach so its competing for the same spots.

Dr. Roderick Slavcev, a professor in the UW School of Pharmacy.

The DNA vaccine, he adds, will both stimulate an immune response, firing up the bodys capacity to fight off COVID-19, and also prevent further infection.

The vaccine enters cells in targeted tissues and causes them to produce a virus-like particle (VLP) that will stimulate an immune response.

The VLP will look similar to the structure of SARS-CoV-2 the virus which causes COVID-19 but is harmless. However, the similarity activates the bodys natural immune response to protect against viral infections comparable to the VLP, including SARS-CoV-2. In binding to the same receptors that SARS-CoV-2 would bind to, it limits possible sites for transmission.

In this way, the vaccine can build immunity against COVID-19 and decrease the severity of infections in progress, working as a therapeutic and a vaccine.

Said Slavcev, Its a cool way to mimic a virus for maximal protection.

Slavcev is teaming up with Emmanuel Ho, another professor at the School of Pharmacy, and Marc Aucoin, professor of chemical engineering.

Hos team is designing the nanomedication that will be delivered by the nasal spray, which is currently being tested. Aucoins lab is constructing and purifying the VLP and boosting immunity following the initial administration of the therapeutic vaccine.

Asked for a time line, Slavcev said, We are expediting quickly. We anticipate going to animal trials within six months and hope to have completed them by May of 2021.

lbraun@postmedia.com

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University of Waterloo researchers developing non-invasive COVID-19 vaccine - Toronto Sun