A project to test what’s being called an ultrapotent, second-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate will receive up to $173.4 million to conduct phase 3 clinical trials. The vaccine was developed in partnership between UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design and SK bioscience, which is based in South Korea.
The vaccine, called GPB510, employs a nanoparticle technology that was created at the University of Washington-based institute. The vaccine uses a nanoparticle scaffolding that is studded with 60 copies of a key region of the virus’ spike protein. The design mimics the shape of the coronavirus. In preclinical research published in the leading scientific journals Cell and Nature, the vaccine triggered powerful and lasting immune responses.
The researchers were working to develop a vaccine that is safe and effective at low doses, easy to manufacture, and stable without requiring storage at super low temperatures.
UW associate professor Neil King, who was a recent finalist for the 2021 GeekWire Awards’ Innovation of the Year, led the research in Seattle.
SK bioscience will conduct the multinational clinical trials. The newly announced funding comes from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI. The money will help pay for the clinical trials as well as scaling up vaccine manufacturing by SK bioscience, with the goal of annually producing hundreds of millions of doses. The funds will also support research into new coronavirus variants of concern.
SK bioscience previously received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and CEPI, which is a global partnership supporting vaccine development to fight pandemics. CEPI, along with the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are co-leaders of COVAX, an international effort working to equitably distribute COVID vaccines around the world. If GPB510 passes muster, it will be made available to COVAX for distribution.
King, a biochemist, is also co-founder and chair of the scientific advisory board for UW-spinout Icosavax. The Seattle startup is working on vaccines for multiple diseases using the nanoparticle technology invented by King. Icosavax is developing a similar COVID vaccine, King said by email, and has received grant support from the Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy Project.
Other lead investigators in developing GPB510 are UW researchers Alexandra Walls, Brooke Fiala and David Veesler, in addition to numerous collaborators.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about Icosavax’s work on a COVID vaccine, and to include mention of the three co-leaders of COVAX.
