ChulaCov19

ChulaCov19 is an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Thailand's Chulalongkorn University in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. ## Development and Current Status ChulaCov19 was developed as a lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)-encapsulated mRNA vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine has undergone several clinical trials, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in Thailand. As of February 2024, the vaccine has completed Phase 1 trials and has moved into Phase 2 testing, particularly as a booster dose for those who have previously received other COVID-19 vaccines. ## Formulations and Variants There appear to be different formulations of the ChulaCov19 vaccine, including: - ChulaCov19 BNA159 - ChulaCov19 BNA159.2 (a bivalent version) ## Clinical Trials The vaccine has been evaluated in multiple clinical trials: - A Phase 1/2 dose-finding study (NCT04566276) to evaluate safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in healthy adults - A Phase 1 study (NCT05231369) to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of ChulaCov19 BNA159 mRNA vaccine in healthy adults - A Phase 2 study (NCT05605470) to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of ChulaCov19 BNA159 and ChulaCov19 BNA159.2 vaccines as booster doses ## Efficacy and Immunogenicity Preclinical studies have shown promising results: - In mice and monkeys, the vaccine facilitated impressive generation of neutralizing antibodies - When compared to CoronaVac and AZD1222 vaccines, ChulaCov19 showed 3- to 10.6-fold higher neutralizing antibody levels across multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants - As a booster dose, ChulaCov19 generated a 7-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan-Hu1 wild-type virus and significantly increased neutralizing antibody response against Omicron variants (BA.1 and BA.4/5) - Challenge studies demonstrated that ChulaCov19 protected human-ACE-2-expressing female mice from COVID-19 symptoms, prevented viremia, and significantly reduced tissue viral load ## Manufacturing and Partnerships The vaccine was initially manufactured in the United States for early trials, but later production has been established in Thailand through a partnership with BioNet Asia. The development has been a collaborative effort between: - Chulalongkorn University Vaccine Research Center (ChulaVRC) - University of Pennsylvania (Prof. Drew Weissman) - BioNet Asia (manufacturing partner) - Thai Red Cross Society The vaccine represents an important step in Thailand's vaccine development capabilities and has shown potential both as a primary vaccination series and as a booster dose for those previously vaccinated with other COVID-19 vaccines.

Brand names

COMVIGEN

Other names

Chula-Cov19Chula-Cov-19Chula-Cov 19ChaluCov19ChaluCov-19ChaluCov 19