Convacell

Convacell is a subunit recombinant vaccine developed by the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera under the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) of Russia for the prevention of COVID-19. Unlike the majority of licensed COVID-19 vaccines that target the surface spike (S) protein, Convacell utilizes the highly conserved recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as its antigen. This protein is expressed in *Escherichia coli* and formulated as a squalane-based emulsion. Because the N protein is less susceptible to mutations than the spike protein, Convacell is designed to provide broader and more stable protection against various viral strains. Clinical data indicates the vaccine induces robust humoral immunity (anti-N IgG) and cellular immunity (IFNγ-producing T-cells) that can persist for up to a year.

Brand names

Convacell

Other names

Recombinant nucleocapsid-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine