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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.19.427373

Inactivated rabies virus vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prevents disease in a Syrian hamster model.

Kurup, D.·Malherbe, D. C.·Wirblich, C.·Lambert, R.·Ronk, A.·Zabihi Diba, L.·Bukreyev, A.·Schnell, M. J.
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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emergent coronavirus that has caused a worldwide pandemic. Although human disease is often asymptomatic, some develop severe illnesses such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death. There is an urgent need for a vaccine to prevent its rapid spread as asymptomatic infections accounting for up to 40% of transmission events. Here we further evaluated an inactivated rabies vectored SARS-CoV-2 S1 vaccine CORAVAX in a Syrian hamster model. CORAVAX adjuvanted with MPLA-AddaVax, a TRL4 agonist, induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies and generated a strong Th1-biased immune response. Vaccinated hamsters were protected from weight loss and viral replication in the lungs and nasal turbinates three days after challenge with SARS-CoV-2. CORAVAX also prevented lung disease, as indicated by the significant reduction in lung pathology. This study highlights CORAVAX as a safe, immunogenic, and efficacious vaccine that warrants further assessment in human trials.

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Kurup, D., Malherbe, D. C., Wirblich, C., Lambert, R., Ronk, A., Zabihi Diba, L., Bukreyev, A., Schnell, M. J.. 2021-01-20. Inactivated rabies virus vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prevents disease in a Syrian hamster model.. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.19.427373

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