A series of recently published preclinical study results show that the Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) COVID-19 vaccine developed by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research may provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern as well as other coronaviruses.
COVID-19 outbreaks in military populations threaten force health and readiness, and basic training presents particular challenges. A new publication co-authored by WRAIR scientists and posted on the preprint server medRxiv outlines improved strategies for preventing outbreaks during basic training, emphasizing the need for customized approaches in unique settings.
A study conducted by researchers with the Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch (EIDB) of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) identified monoclonal antibodies targeting different areas of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that in combination provided broad neutralizing protection while preventing viral escape. Findings were published last week in Nature Immunology.
Prolonged COVID-19 infection among immune compromised individuals may generate multiple mutations of SARS-CoV-2, providing a path to more transmissible or virulent variants of concern. Researchers describe some implications of SARS-CoV-2 evolution in immunosuppressed patients in a new commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) selected EIDB’s COVID vaccine candidate, Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN), as one of the 2020 award recipients. This years’ award was jointly given to the Army-developed and patented adjuvant, Army Liposome Formulation with QS21 (ALFQ), which is used in the SpFN vaccine
EIDB and partners in Nigeria will participate in Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) funded Phase II and III clinical trials of IAVI's Lassa fever vaccine candidate later this year.
