China-based vaccines specialist CanSino Biologics Inc., (HKG: 6185) has announced receiving approval from Health Canada to conduct a Phase I clinical study assessing the safety and preliminary immunogenicity of CS-2032, a recombinant vaccine candidate for the zoster virus. This adenovirus vector-based vaccine is co-developed with UK firm Vaccitech Ltd under a partnership established in 2018 and will be tested in both intramuscular injection and aerosol inhalation forms.
CS-2032: A Recombinant Vaccine for Shingles Prevention
CS-2032 is designed for individuals aged 50 and above to prevent shingles and neuralgia caused by the varicella shingles virus. Pre-clinical data have shown that the CS-2032 Zoster vaccine effectively stimulates both humoral immunity and cellular immunity. The vaccine demonstrated no significant difference in humoral immunity compared to Shingrix, a recombinant subunit adjuvant vaccine developed by GSK plc, while the level of systemic cellular immunity was significantly higher than that of Shingrix, indicating the good protective potential of CS-2032.
Implications for Shingles Prevention and Vaccine Development
The approval by Health Canada marks a significant step forward in the development of CS-2032, which has the potential to offer a more effective prevention option for shingles. The vaccine’s ability to stimulate both types of immunity suggests it may provide robust protection against the virus, which is particularly important for older adults who are at higher risk of developing shingles and its associated complications.-Fineline Info & Tech
