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I always suspected you didn't read my posts beyond the first couple of sentences :)

Link is in my very first post this morning.

The company I linked to is already producing a test. They've taken their approved TB T cell test and repurposed it for COVID 19 antigens, not sure whether they'll seek regulatory approval or not. So the technology exists at the moment but it doesn't look like there will be any sort of test that can be used out in the community that will quickly produce results.

Having said that, if more evidence builds on the Karolinska findings then the need for a T cell test is going to become greater and greater and some of the diagnostic companies will respond, in a similar way to the response we've seen on antibody testing. From an investment viewpoint, the trick is finding them and timing.

Either way, it's looking increasingly likely that if Governments, public health authorities want an accurate picture of immunity within populations, they're going to have to look at a combination of antibody and T cell testing. It's so interesting to see scientist's understanding of how this virus operates and how our immune systems respond evolve in front of our eyes.

Crumbs - thanks for that, I wondered whether someone had taken over .

Inanaco,

Yes thanks - had forgotten about ImmunID, I thought they had gone bust?

I was after someone who is developing a T Cell test to look specifically for COVID-19 antigen T Cells. Think I've found it here but looks like a long way from being a standardised test that can be scaled up for huge volume testing.

http://go.oxfordimmunotec.com/t-spot_discovery_SARS_CoV-2

Anyone know who is running Scancell's Twitter account?

Thanks both for your earlier posts. An important day for BioNTech and really good to see some positive results coming from their trial. Interestingly, it looks like they too will see the best results from a two shot dosing regime.

Ray,

I have been looking for developers of COVID-19 antigen specific T cells tests with a view to adding to my portfolio. In terms of investing, it seems all the focus has been on antibody testing but it's looking increasingly likely that T cell testing may also have an important role. So far I've only managed to find a NASDAQ listed (although British) based company who are adapting a TB antigen specific test to COVID. It'll be interesting to see how they get on.

Burble,

Thanks for your earlier post. Here is a better link to the conference website. Lindy Durrant listed as a key speaker alongside presenters from MHRA, BMS, AstraZeneca, Roche and Boehringer Ingelheim.

https://www.oxfordglobal.co.uk/immuno-series-uk-virtual/

The Science and Technology Commons Select Committee is sitting this afternoon and will be discussing COVID-19 vaccines:-

'This Science and Technology Committee session will focus on the progress made to date on the development of vaccines and treatments in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the work of the UK Government Taskforces on vaccines and therapeutics.'

Witnesses include Deputy CMO, Prof. Jonathan Van Tam and Chair of the Gov's Vaccine Taskforce, Kate Bingham

Can be watched live here
https://parliamentlive.tv/Commons

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/135/science-and-technology-committee-commons/news/147087/development-of-vaccines-and-treatments-in-managing-the-covid19-pandemic-examined/

Ray,

I understand where you're coming from and of course everybody wants the best brains in the world to be working on the best solutions. How do you know who is best though? Who decides?

The role of the WHO is to coordinate the international response and it does actually have its own project blueprint aimed at accelerating vaccines, diagnostics and therapies. They're working in conjunction with CEPI. I think there is probably far more cooperation between industry, academia and philanthropic organisations than we realise but it's not newsworthy.

As for duplication - some would argue that's no bad thing. If you went down the route of selecting the most promising DNA vaccine, the most promising mRNA, viral vectored etc. then you're very much limiting your shots on goal. As we've already seen tonight with the discussions on Inovio for example , not all DNA vaccines are created equal :)

Ray,

Have a look at CEPI and GAVI

https://cepi.net/about/whyweexist/
https://www.gavi.org/

Chelsea,

Well of course the clinical trials register does show that additional UK trial centres have been set up, although they're not yet open for recruitment . I don't think any majors will pull studies from the US and move them to the UK - we could never meet their recruitment needs.

I really don't know what the answer is but it would be good to hear that Scancell has a strategy in place to get the SCIB1 trial back up and running in the quickest and most cost-effective way. Who knows? They may already have resumed recruitment at Nottingham.

I hope you're right Chelsea and that we do get an update in the morning - it's sorely needed.

Inanaco,

Perhaps we should wait to see the results from some of these clinical trials, other DNA vaccines and some early data from Scancell before we start making judgment calls. For all we know a vaccine that only works in 50% of the population is as good as it gets.

The FDA and EMA know what they're doing and if they say a vaccine that is effective in 50% of the population warrants approval then it does!

Don't knock it, compare to where we are today.

If one of the first generation of vaccines can prevent 50% of deaths and 50% of severe cases (with the associated long term, life changing effects) then that's a massive leap forward. It will also have enormous benefits for healthcare systems, especially in poorer countries.

Vaccines coming along behind can then hopefully improve on those odds.

I think patient fear is less of a problem given that these are very late stage patients with inoperable cancer who may have a different outlook on the risk/reward of going into hospitals.

My concern is that it will now be that much harder to set up and recruit to US trial centers. On top of that, with many/most trials being on hold for the last few months, competition for patients is going to be fierce once they get going again. Given the small size of the trial, I wonder whether there's a case to continue (when covid allows) in the UK only.

Inanaco,

So what do you think is happening with SCIB1 & SCIB2. Do you think they're on hold and if so for how long?

Karolinska, home of the Nobel Prize are highly respected and acknowledged as one of the top research institutions in the world and they are also developing a DNA COVID vaccine which is a positive endorsement of Scancell's approach.

Of course none of it matters not a jot if Scancell aren't able to find the backing they need to push on with covidity. I'm sure they're on the case.

Some new research published by the Karolinska Institute

'Our results indicate that roughly twice as many people have developed T-cell immunity compared with those who we can detect antibodies in.'

https://news.ki.se/immunity-to-covid-19-is-probably-higher-than-tests-have-shown

I can't open the link to Endpoints article so couldn't tell what point you were trying to make.

We'll soon find out - CanSino, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have all opted for adenovirus vectors as they generate the strongest T cell response. Assume that as both CanSino and AZN are in phase II/III trials, there have been no serious safety issues to date or the regulators wouldn't have allowed the trials to go ahead.

I'm sure that the priority for all of us is just that one/some of the vaccines actually work. Having said that, the results of many of these COVID-19 trials will shape and determine the future of new or previously unapproved tech. whether it's mRNA vaccines, type of viral vector, even DNA vaccines. It's going to be so interesting seeing how it all plays out.

Sorry Inanaco,

What point are you trying to make? Is it safety concerns surrounding adenoviral vectors?

Wild and thaat's an interesting question - answer is that I just don't know.

However, we do know that in the years since the application was originally submitted, Scancell has been carrying out further research on siPTMs and cancer. Clearly LD is going to pursue those that have the most potential and show the best results in early research. So I guess the fact that she has chosen to pursue homocitrullination speaks volumes and we do know that the patent application for homocitrullinated epitopes was filed back in 2019.