University of Georgia-based startup CyanVac LLC received $40 million in federal funding on Wednesday to launch its intranasal COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. According to a University of Georgia (UGA) press release, CyanVac will sponsor a randomized, double-blind phase 2b study with 10,000 participants to compare the vaccine’s efficacy and safety against an FDA-approved mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. This could be the largest clinical trial of a COVID-19 intranasal vaccine in the United States.
Unlike the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines on the market, which are injected intramuscularly, CyanVac’s vaccine, CVXGA, is inhaled through the nose. Additionally, the vaccine will not use the lipid nanoparticle platforms used in the mRNA vaccines. Instead, the formula will be delivered via a genetically modified strain of parainfluenza virus 5.
This canine virus causes kennel cough in dogs but is harmless to humans. according to CyanVac. The canine virus will be genetically edited to carry genes for the COVID-19 spike protein.
Inhaling the virus will induce spike protein production. Intranasal vaccines may encourage COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people opposed to the mRNA vaccines or those concerned about getting a needle poke in the arm. They are also easier to administer and may be more kid-friendly, enabling children to get pain-free immunizations.
Dr. Schaffner speculated that these vaccines may also prevent viral transmission and infection. Intranasal vaccines afford immunity to i.
