A new study by Novateur Ventures provides a comparative analysis of a dozen COVID-19 vaccines that had initiated or announced a Phase III clinical trial phase by early November 2020. The study highlights the early successes, as well as the hurdles and hurdles yet to be overcome for ending global COVID-19 pandemic disease.
COVID-19 vaccines tested for study
- RNA messenger – Moderna and Pfizer / BioNtech
- Vector-based vaccines (non-reproducible) – Astra Zeneca / Oxford University, CanSino Biologics, Gamaleya Research Institute, Johnson & Johnson / Janssen (J&J)
- Reconstituted protein-based vaccines – Novavax and Medicago
- Inactive Virus – Three Chinese conglomerates and one Indian company
The study ‘Product Profile Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccines in Phase III and Beyond Clinical Trials: The Early 2021 Perspective’ appears in the Special issue “Vaccines and Treatment Against Coronaviruses” of the journal Viruses, an open, peer-reviewed international journal published monthly by the Multidisciplinary Publishing Institute (MDPI).
“The combined global effort to develop vaccines to combat COVID-19 and deliver it to millions of citizens worldwide in less than a year is an unprecedented action in medical history and a boon for vaccine research and development said study co-author Ali Ardakani, Founder & Managing Director at Novateur Ventures. “Herd immunity with a vaccine medium will play a key role in helping us return to a world free from constraints and global wealth.”
COVID-19 vaccines belonging to four different platforms were studied in five different regions using a “harmonized” target outcome profile (TPP) version of guidance from the World Health Organization, Consortium. for Epidemic Preparation Innovation (CEPI) and Center for Biological Assessment and Research (CBER). Key analysis from the study –
- Vaccine efficacy – mRNA vaccines were clear winners with efficacy in the 95% range and across a spectrum of ages, followed by the subprotein platform with efficacy of just under 90% in the UK. The inactive virus platform is running at the lowest level based on currently available variable data.
- Dosing Regimen – All but two (CanSino and Johnson & Johnson / Janssen) of the 12 vaccines in the various platforms studied in this study use a two-dose regimen.
- Logistics – mRNA vaccines are at their lowest level with their cold chain requirements.
- Safety / reactogenicity – The inactive virus platform was the main actor. The viral vector platform is scoring under the other three platforms due to some distracting concerns related to stop tests and adverse events.
- Target price / availability – Production of mRNA vaccines can be increased at a reasonable pace, but they are currently among the most expensive COVID-19 vaccines; the viral vector vaccines are the cheapest to prepare. The inactivated virus vaccines are relatively easy to make and are cheap if one believes that Bharat Biotech contains COVAXIN. However, there are some indications that the prices of vaccines made in China are very high.
“Ten out of a dozen vaccines we studied have already received some sort of authorization for use in different countries in less than a year. This is a remarkable achievement,” said a co-author. the study Colin D. Funk, Scientific Director at Novateur Initiatives. “We hope that the viral changes of SARS-CoV-2, which are emerging at an alarming rate in several countries, will not stop the successful vaccination efforts to date.”
The study has also identified three key barriers / barriers to ending global COVID-19 pandemic disease –
- Although we know that levels of antibody that cause natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 last for several months, we do not know whether it is necessary to re-inject a vaccine each year (or schedule- other time). If repeated increasing doses are required, especially associated with the viral vector platform, will antibodies be directed to the vector and will this reduce vaccine efficacy?
- Determining the immune-protective correlation against SARS-CoV-2 is an important goal that has not yet been achieved and will be crucial in enabling the future development and licensing of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Public opinion and compliance in vaccine administration are also major obstacles to overcoming to achieve herd protection in some countries / populations. Although not discussed in this review, this is a key point that cannot be overlooked.
The process of developing a vaccine from scratch usually takes place over a number of years but it is really remarkable that we have already agreed vaccines to combat the spread of COVID-19. This speaks books about the efforts that different countries have made in pandemic preparedness and response. This has been made possible through pre-clinical and early Phase I studies, strategic risk measures and variable trial design. “
Craig Laferrière, C.of Author, Development of head vaccine at Novateur Ventures