Providence Cancer Institute, a part of Providence St. Joseph Health, has launched a phase I study of OncoSec’s novel DNA‑encodable, investigational vaccine, CORVax12, designed to act as a prophylactic vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
CORVax12 consists of OncoSec’s existing product candidate, Tavo (interleukin-12 or “IL-12” plasmid), in combination with an immunogenic component of the SARS-CoV-2 virus recently developed by researchers at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and licensed to OncoSec on a non-exclusive basis.
OncoSec’s CORVax12 vaccine approach combines the co-administration of Tavo (plasmid IL-12) with a DNA-encodable version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike or “S” glycoprotein to enhance immunogenicity of the component developed by scientists at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center. CORVax12 is designed to drive a coordinated vaccine response, capable of drawing upon the innate, adaptive humoral, and adaptive cellular arms. We believe this multi-pronged innate, adaptive and cellular immune response is likely to be important in generating a robust anti-viral response.
“Previous vaccine efforts against coronaviruses, including the SARS coronavirus, have focused on the S glycoprotein, which facilitates interaction with the host cell through binding to the ACE2 receptor,” principal investigator on the study Rom Leidner, co-medical director, of the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Providence Cancer Institute, and assistant member of the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, said in a statement.
Providence investigators will evaluate the vaccination of healthy adult volunteers utilizing OncoSec’s next-generation, investigational APOLLO generator technology for the first time clinically if FDA clears the APOLLO to enter the clinic. The trial will also include extensive immune monitoring.
OncoSec will supply CORVax12 and its investigational APOLLO electroporation device to Providence as part of this effort and does not anticipate any additional capital commitment at this time. Additionally, OncoSec will contribute manufacturing, preclinical, and prior clinical information and data for TAVO, along with manufacturing data for its APOLLO technology, to support FDA’s allowance of the Providence IND. Providence will hold the IND, if cleared by FDA, and perform the preclinical and clinical development work.
