SCLP31 Jan 2022 07:46
Update on COVIDITY Phase 1 clinical trial in South Africa
First patient dosed with second COVIDITY vaccine candidate (SCOV2)
Preclinical studies demonstrate strong immunity against Omicron
Scancell Holdings plc (AIM: SCLP), the developer of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease, today announces further progress of the Phase 1 COVIDITY clinical trial being conducted at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Lung Institute in South Africa.
The objectives of the first part of the trial are to assess the safety and immunogenicity of two vaccine candidates, SCOV1 and SCOV2, in healthy, vaccine-naïve subjects, prior to testing as a booster in volunteers who have already received an approved vaccine. To date, 16 subjects have been enrolled and the SCOV1 immunisations have been well tolerated, with no safety concerns. As per protocol, we can now report that the first subject has received their first injection with the second vaccine candidate SCOV2, following two injections with SCOV1.
As announced at the Company's interim results, due to the high case numbers of the Omicron variant in South Africa, recruitment has been slow to date but, now the country's wave of infections has passed, screening is continuing at an increased rate, with further safety and immunogenicity data still expected to be available in H1 2022.
Scancell has previously shown in preclinical models that both SCOV1 and SCOV2 induce high titre antibodies and potent T cells against both the S and N antigens, and that these responses cross-reacted with the Delta variant. The Company has now confirmed in preclinical studies that although both vaccines induced responses against the Omicron variant, the strongest responses were seen with SCOV2.
Honorary Prof Rod Dawson, Managing Director of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute, commented: "There is still a need for additional SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that are safe and effective to achieve long-lasting protection against new and emerging variants. The UCT Lung Institute remains highly motivated to investigate the clinical potential of the SCOV1 and SCOV2 vaccines with our colleagues at Scancell."
Prof Lindy Durrant, Chief Executive Officer, Scancell, commented: "We are delighted that the first subject has now received a SCOV2 injection in the COVIDITY Phase 1 clinical trial. The Scancell team and collaborators remain convinced that a more durable and broader-acting vaccine is required to combat the global pandemic and we are encouraged by the emerging data supporting the use of our vaccines against new variants."
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