NVX-CoV2373 vaccine protects cynomolgus macaque upper and lower airways against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Issue 50 (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guebre-Xabier, Mimi; Patel, Nita; Tian, Jing-Hui; Zhou, Bin; Maciejewski, Sonia; Lam, Kristal; Portnoff, Alyse D.; Massare, Michael J.; Frieman, Matthew B.; Piedra, Pedro A.; Ellingsworth, Larry; Glenn, Gregory; Smith, Gale
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 38:Issue 50(2020)
• Page Start: 7892
• Page End: 7896
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- Spike glycoprotein -- NVX-CoV2373 nanoparticles -- Matrix-M adjuvant -- Nonhuman primate; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.10.064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: Full-length SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike with Matrix-M™ (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine. Induced hACE2 receptor blocking and neutralizing antibodies in macaques. Vaccine protected against SARS-CoV-2 replication in the nose and lungs. Absence of pulmonary pathology in NVX-CoV2373 vaccinated macaques. Abstract: There is an urgent need for a safe and protective vaccine to control the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and prevent COVID-19. Here, we report the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) produced from the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein stabilized in the prefusion conformation. Cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ) immunized with NVX-CoV2373 and the saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant induced anti-S antibody that was neutralizing and blocked binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Following intranasal and intratracheal challenge with SARS-CoV-2, immunized macaques were protected against upper and lower infection and pulmonary disease. These results support ongoing phase 1/2 clinical studies of the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2327 vaccine (NCT04368988).