TechnoVax, Inc, a biotechnology developer of novel vaccines and The CUNY School of Medicine at The City College of New York, announce a breakthrough in their collaborative effort to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
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Electron microscopy (EM) images of SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) showing the typical spikes radiating from the surface of the particles. These structural mimics of the native virus are being used to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
This technology has a proven track record as evidenced by the success of vaccines directed against human papillomavirus virus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HepB) which have been proven both highly effective and exceedingly safe in stimulating immune responses. The CV-19 VLPs were assembled in a suspension culture of mammalian cells from both the coronavirus structural elements as well as uniquely modified surface spike molecules specifically designed to ensure stability, abundance, and most importantly the immunogenic properties known to be essential for creation of a highly effective vaccine.
“This innovation is most likely to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in that it utilizes a proven technology that is distinct from current COVID-19 vaccine candidates,” said Jose M. Galarza, CEO, TechnoVax.
Electron microscopy studies of purified VLPs reveal that there is not only a high frequency of spikes projecting from the surface of the particles, but that the morphology of the structure also resembles that of the native SARS-CoV-2 virus. CCNY researchers Paul Gottlieb and Reza Khayat noted that the stabilized surface spikes are expected to be highly immunogenic.
“The search for a COVID-19 vaccine is among the most important research efforts of our day and we are proud that researchers working on our campus have turned up such a promising avenue of advancement,” said CCNY President Vince Boudreau.
Overall, TechnoVax and CCNY are committed to the advancement of the development of a safe and effective VLP based COVID-19 vaccine and are entertaining inquiries from potential partners to collaborate on these efforts in order to expedite this work and bring to fruition a successful alternative vaccine solution with great potential for stemming this destructive pandemic.
About the City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. At City College, more than 16,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
About TechnoVax
TechnoVax is a privately held near-clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Elmsford, New York specializing in viral vaccine development. Its mission is to create and develop unique and novel vaccine technologies with no current alternatives through achieving groundbreaking clinical solutions, optimized effectiveness all executed with the utmost safety.
For more information, visit: www.technovax.com
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Source: TechnoVax, Inc
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Electron microscopy (EM) images of SARS-CoV-2 Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) showing the typical spikes radiating from the surface of the particles. These structural mimics of the native virus are being used to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
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