PopVax COVID-19 vaccine

PopVax's COVID-19 vaccine is a next-generation mRNA-encoded virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine designed to provide broad protection against current and predicted future variants of SARS-CoV-2. The platform utilizes a novel mRNA architecture that enables the display of immunogens on virus-like particles, which are delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) formulated with proprietary ionizable lipids. In preclinical studies, the vaccine elicited antibody responses in mice that were 10-100 times more potent in neutralizing key SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to existing mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The program has been selected for inclusion in the U.S. Government's Project NextGen, with the NIAID sponsoring and conducting the Phase I clinical trial. PopVax has committed to making the vaccine open-source to facilitate global manufacturing.