China-based vaccine specialist Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd (HKG: 2197) announced the inclusion of its COVID-19 vaccine SCB-2019 (CpG 1018/Alum) in the emergency use program in China. The protein vaccine was developed using Clover’s proprietary Trimer-Tag (protein trimerization) technology, a drug development platform which allows the production of novel, covalently-trimerized fusion proteins.
Clinical Trial Results
The latest results of the global Phase II/III SPECTRA study showed that vaccination with SCB-2019 reduced the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infection to household members by 84%, compared to placebo participants. As a heterologous booster shot, SCB-2019 can induce a higher level of neutralizing antibody against the subtype of Omicron BA.5 variant, the wild COVID-19 strain, and the subtypes of Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2. Clover Bio is currently enrolling a sub-cohort to evaluate the effect of SCB-2019 as the fourth booster dose in individuals previously vaccinated with three doses of inactivated vaccine, and to compare the effect of the fourth booster dose of homologous inactivated vaccine. To date, the trial has enrolled more than 1,500 adult and elderly subjects in the Philippines.-Fineline Info & Tech
