Operation Nasal Vaccine Candidate to Counter COVID-19 Variants

Switzerland-based ACM Biolabs recently announced that the first subject had been dosed in the first–in–human Phase 1 clinical trial of its candidate vaccine, ACM-001, a 2nd generation adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccine with broad protection against variants of concerns.

"Our next generation COVID-19 vaccine ACM-001, a nasal vaccine, can make a significant contribution to blocking infections and transmission. The current situation of high infection and reinfection rates despite repeated booster vaccinations reinforces the emerging consensus of the scientific community that there is a high need for an intranasal COVID vaccine," said Dr. Madhavan Nallani, CEO of ACM Biolabs, in a press release on July 29, 2022.

"We look forward to seeing our promising preclinical results translate into this important Phase 1 study within the next months."

The spike-protein component of ACM-001 is modeled after the immune-evasive beta variant.

In animal studies, the clinical vaccine candidate was safe and generated a protective immune response against the beta-variant and ancestral form of SARS-2.

Additionally, it also elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies against other variants, including delta and omicron.

Furthermore, the plug-and-play platform would allow for quick adaption of current and future mutations of the SARS-2 virus.

ACM-001 vaccine is developed based on the company's proprietary artificial cell membrane (ACM) polymer-based technology.

This next-generation delivery platform offers flexibility with multiple payloads (proteins to RNA) and can be stored in a refrigerator, in contrast to the current LNP-based delivery.

ACM Biolabs is a biotechnology company operating in Singapore, Switzerland, and Australia. It focuses on developing vaccines for infectious diseases and personalized immunotherapy for cancer patients using its proprietary delivery platform (non-lipid, non-viral).

Note: The company's press statement was translated and curated for mobile readers.