MediciNova announced development progress on its intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19 utilizing BC-PIV, a viral vector platform technology developed by Mie University and BioComo.

The company has designed multiple vaccine prototypes using a number of combinations of modality and antigen which are highly expected to induce immunity. Among these multiple prototypes, the company has confirmed the SARS-CoV-2 specific protein antigen mounted on their membrane surfaces binds with ACE2, which is a known receptor of SARS-CoV-2.

The company has also examined the induction of specific antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein by inoculating mice with these vaccine prototypes using a single intranasal dose. Induction of specific antibodies against this SARS-CoV-2 antigen was measured using ELISA tests and compared. We narrowed the vaccine prototypes down to several candidates that induced a stronger specific antibody response for future development.

MediciNova is currently in the process of analyzing neutralizing antibody titers through in-vivo testing.

BioComo, MediciNova’s development partner, has already converted packaging cells into a master cell bank.

"We are very pleased to confirm that we now have multiple COVID-19 vaccine prototypes that induced a strong antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein after administration of only one intranasal dose. This is a critical step in our development of an effective vaccine. We look forward to reporting additional results as soon as possible,” Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova said.

ACE2 is an enzyme attached to the membranes of cells in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidneys, and intestines. As a transmembrane protein, ACE2 serves as the main entry point into cells for some coronaviruses, including HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV (the virus that causes SARS) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).