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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.08.18.256578

NVX-CoV2373 vaccine protects cynomolgus macaque upper and lower airways against SARS-CoV-2 challenge

Guebre-Xabier, M.·Patel, N.·Tian, J.-H.·Zhou, B.·Maciejewski, S.·Lam, K.·Portnoff, A. D.·Massare, M. J.·Frieman, M. B.·Piedra, P. A.·Ellingsworth, L. R.·Glenn, G.·Smith, G.
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Abstract

There is an urgent need for a safe and protective vaccine to control the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 and prevent COVID-19. Here, we report the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) produced from the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein stabilized in the prefusion conformation. Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) immunized with NVX-CoV2373 and the saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant induced anti-S antibody that was neutralizing and blocked binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Following intranasal and intratracheal challenge with SARS-CoV-2, immunized macaques were protected against upper and lower infection and pulmonary disease. These results support ongoing phase 1/2 clinical studies of the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2327 vaccine (NCT04368988). HighlightsO_LIFull-length SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike with Matrix-M1 (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine. C_LIO_LIInduced hACE2 receptor blocking and neutralizing antibodies in macaques. C_LIO_LIVaccine protected against SARS-CoV-2 replication in the nose and lungs. C_LIO_LIAbsence of pulmonary pathology in NVX-CoV2373 vaccinated macaques. C_LI

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Guebre-Xabier, M., Patel, N., Tian, J.-H., Zhou, B., Maciejewski, S., Lam, K., Portnoff, A. D., Massare, M. J., Frieman, M. B., Piedra, P. A., Ellingsworth, L. R., Glenn, G., Smith, G.. 2020-08-19. NVX-CoV2373 vaccine protects cynomolgus macaque upper and lower airways against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.18.256578

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