China's first recombinant protein SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produced by insect cells obtained clinical trial approval

Reporter : Wang Peng / Publisher : China News Network

Ref : http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2020/8/444478.shtm / Direct translation 

 

According to news from Chengdu Tianfu International Biological City on 22 August 2020, the recombinant protein SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developed by the State Key Laboratory of Biological Therapy of West China Hospital of Sichuan University has obtained clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration. It is China's first recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine produced by insect cells.

It is reported that the vaccine targets the spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 to produce neutralizing antibodies to block the virus from infecting human cells. The vaccine was tested on monkeys and other animals and found to have a good protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, and no obvious side effects were seen.

The vaccine uses insect cells to multiply in the culture medium to introduce the genes of the novel coronavirus into the insect cells. The cells are used as factories to produce high-quality recombinant vaccine proteins, which are purified and refined. The technology is easy to quickly and mass-produce vaccines into the market.

It is reported that insects are used to produce recombinant protein vaccines, and products such as cervical cancer vaccines and influenza vaccines have been marketed in European and American countries, and their safety in human application has been verified.

In order to promote the clinical trials and market use of vaccines as soon as possible, Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-City takes advantage of the advantage of "the pilot demonstration base for the transfer and transformation of major new drug creation and major national scientific and technological achievements". At the beginning of the research of the project, it will maintain attention, keep close contact, and make initial progress. It also intervened early to design the path of achievement transformation.

In April this year, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, the vaccine research team and Tianfu International Biological City established Chengdu Wesker Biomedicine Co., Ltd., which is planning and designing a production line with an annual output of hundreds of millions of needles, and will realize independent domestic research and development of a complete set of equipment.

Chengdu Tianfu International Biological City is jointly built by Chengdu High-tech Zone and Shuangliu District, with a planned area of ​​approximately 44 square kilometers. The vaccine industrialization project in Chengdu Tianfu International Biological City covers an area of ​​6,000 square meters. It is currently undergoing workshop design, equipment selection and environmental assessment. The plant is expected to be put into use by the end of the year.