Innovative Protein-Based Covid-19 Vaccine Designed for Global Accessibility

An innovative vaccine developed by MIT and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center offers an affordable, easy-to-store protein subunit alternative that could dramatically expand global access to effective Covid-19 immunization.

Global Access and Vaccine Innovation

While many people in wealthier countries have been vaccinated against Covid-19, a significant portion of the world population still requires immunization. The new vaccine cost-effectively addresses this gap by using fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein assembled on a virus-like particle, eliciting strong immune responses and protecting animals against viral challenges.

Produced via yeast fermentation, this vaccine leverages existing global manufacturing infrastructure, such as facilities operated by the Serum Institute of India, enabling rapid scale-up and distribution, particularly in regions with limited access to current RNA vaccines.

Optimizing Manufacturability with Protein Subunit Technology

The vaccine employs protein subunit technology, which consists of small viral protein pieces, offering advantages in cost and storage compared to RNA vaccines. It can be refrigerated without requiring ultracold temperatures, facilitating easier logistics in lower-resource settings.

The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is displayed on hepatitis B surface antigen scaffolds to enhance immunogenicity. Both components are produced separately in the yeast Pichia pastoris, a microorganism already used worldwide for vaccine production.

Clinical Trials and Immune Response

Preclinical trials in nonhuman primates combined the vaccine with established adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide and CpG, generating antibody levels comparable to authorized Covid-19 vaccines like Johnson & Johnson’s.

Upon exposure to SARS-CoV-2, vaccinated animals demonstrated significantly reduced viral loads, indicating strong protective efficacy.

“Modularity in vaccine design enables rapid adaptation to emerging variants while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.”

Modular Vaccine Design for Future Variants

The modular “plug and display” system allows rapid substitution of RBD mutations from new variants like Delta and Lambda without altering the overall framework, facilitating swift development of new vaccine candidates.

This adaptability holds promise not only for expanding global vaccination efforts but also for creating boosters that provide broad protection across diverse SARS-CoV-2 strains and potentially other coronaviruses.

Collaborations and Funding

The project was a collaboration between MIT and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with contributions from the Serum Institute and SpyBiotech, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Cancer Institute’s Koch Institute Support Grant.