Grant: Operating Grant: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity - Vaccines

In this project, this team will rapidly develop, validate and clinically evaluate a novel DNA Vaccine against COVID-19 utilizing well-validated Fusogenix proteolipid vehicle (PLV) intracellular delivery platform. The use of a plasmid DNA vaccine will allow us to utilize multiple epitopes from key immunogenic SARS-COV-2 proteins, generating protection against structural components of the novel coronavirus, which should not only protect against viral entry but provide a robust cell-based response during active infection. Working with an international multi-disciplinary team including investigators at University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, Entos Pharmaceuticals, VIDO, EpiVax, Virscio and a pharmaceutical partner, we will rapidly prototype, validate and clinically evaluate a pan-coronavirus DNA vaccine. Clinical trials will be initiated at the Canadian center for Vaccinology in Halifax within 8 weeks of project initiation, with the goal of a commercial release within one year.