Getting close to a solution for the Coronavirus - Project Proposal Helping MIGAL's Coronavirus Vaccine Development - Keren ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Project
Proposal
Getting close to a solution
for the Coronavirus
Helping MIGAL’s Coronavirus Vaccine Development
The 2020 Coronavirus Epidemic
As of March 7, 2020, over 102,000 cases of
patients infected with the new coronavirus,
SARS-CoV-2, had been reported, including 57,624
with symptoms, 3,497 of whom had died. Of
the remaining patients (41,120), 34,967 were
classified in moderate condition and 6,153 in
serious condition.
The number of patients worldwide continues to
increase: there are large and growing outbreaks
in South Korea, Italy and Iran, and the disease
has been reported in 88 countries. The highly
contagious nature of the disease, coupled with
uncertainty regarding its severity and the lack of effective treatment, has led to severe disruptions in
the economy and day-to-day functioning of the entire developed world. The incubation period of the
disease is generally 2-14 days, but in some exceptions, it has appeared after 27 days.
There is currently no certainty as to what drugs could be effective in treating human coronavirus, and
no vaccines. A number of drugs currently used in the treatment of patients with other viral diseases,
such as AIDS and Malaria (and ebola), are now being used with COVID 19 patients including Remdesivir
and Chloroquine, and it is expected that drugs that have been effective for viral diseases (and primarily
RNA viruses) are likely to help with recovery.
Overview
MIGAL, an internationally-recognized multi-disciplinary
applied research institute (Non-Profit Organization) located
in Israel’s Northern Galilee, is developing an oral Coronavirus
vaccine that will be ready for in-vivo testing in 90 days. Migal
was established in 1979, and today is addressing the world’s
most pressing challenges by research in agriculture, food,
feed, health and environment.
Based on inter-disciplinary research of groups in the fields of
immunology, microbiology, bioinformatics virology enzymology
and computational chemistry, Migal is uniquely qualified to carry
out this work based on its successful development of a vaccine
against Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV), an avian (poultry)
coronavirus with high similarity to today’s human COVID-19 that
uses the same infection mechanism. Given the similarity, and
following required genetic adjustments, the same vaccination
concepts should apply.
MIGAL’s interdisciplinary vaccine development team has been collaborating for several years
on other vaccine development projects, and is highly qualified to carry out this project. Now it
seeks partners to help it fund, complete and commercialize its development process.
Getting close to a solution
for the Coronavirus
Project Proposal Helping MIGAL’s Coronavirus Vaccine Development 2
The MIGAL Galilee Research Institute
The MIGAL Galilee Research Institute Ltd is a regional
R&D center of the Israeli Science and Technology
Ministry owned by the Galilee Development Company
ltd. An internationally-recognized multi-disciplinary
applied research institute, Migal specializes in
biotechnology and computer sciences, plant
science, precision agriculture and environmental
sciences, and food, nutrition and health. Recognized
as a powerhouse of applied research, for forty years
MIGAL has cooperated closely with industry leaders,
innovative startups, and technological accelerators.
MIGALs' employees include 90 PhDs and 190 researchers distributed across 44 research groups,
operating as an innovative research ecosystem that encourages collaboration across scientific,
industrial, agricultural, academic and technological specialties.
Vaccine Development
Besides Migal, a number of research groups
throughout the world are now working
intensively to create a vaccine against this
virus. Israel’s Biology Institute has engaged
a large group of scientists experienced in the
development, testing and manufacture of
vaccines to work on the project. Moderna has
announced the development of a vaccine
prototype based on the virus’s genetic material
within 4 days of publishing its findings, and will
soon begin human trials. GSK is developing a
partnership with a Chinese company, and
Johnson & Johnson has announced the
development of a vaccine and treatments
against the disease.
The significant advantage of Migal’s efforts is that its successful 4-year project to develop
a vaccine against avian coronavirus has given it a 4-year “head start” which it believes will
translate into a rapid development process for an effective human vaccine.
MIGAL’s Corona-vaccine Development Program
MIGAL initiated its Corona-vaccine development program four years ago with NIS 12 million funding
by the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. As part of the project, MIGAL researchers developed a new sub-
unit vaccine for oral delivery of Corona S1 and N-immune potent antigens. In addition, the team
developed a commercial GMP standardized production method, including fermentation and protein
collection. Proof-of-concept was achieved using an Avian coronavirus sequence for vaccination of
chickens against the Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IBV) virus.
Getting close to a solution
for the Coronavirus
Project Proposal Helping MIGAL’s Coronavirus Vaccine Development 3
The main achievements of the program included:
• Definition of specific structural motifs of the corona S and N proteins, sufficient for induction of
effective immune response.
• Development of three chimeric proteins for carrying three distinct structural domains, with
enhanced mucosal activity for mucosal vaccination.
• Development of an E. coli-based protein expression system which produces and secretes the
chimeric proteins to the growth media.
• Proof-of-concept for safety, specific antibody induction, activation of cellular immune response,
and protection against challenge, was performed in two medium-scale animal studies, in chicken
models and Avian corona H120 IBV.
• Development of fermentation media and process for protein production, following pharma
regulations and GMP standards.
MIGAL is currently in the process of
adjusting the genetic system to enable
production of specific polypeptides of the
recently-published Corona sequence. It has
characterized the structural domains and is in
the process of developing relevant chimeric
proteins. Using its already-developed
fermentation process, Migal believes that
its proposed oral (mucosal) vaccination
technology can be ready for testing in 90
days.
MIGAL’s proposed COVID 19 vaccine is based
on a new protein expression vector, which
forms and secretes a chimeric soluble protein
that delivers the viral antigen into mucosal tissues by self-activated endocytosis. In an In-Vivo study, it
was demonstrated that the oral vaccination induces high levels of specific anti-IBV antibodies. Moreover,
vaccinated birds were protected against challenge with a live virulent IBV strain, as demonstrated by
rapid clearance of the virus.
Business Model for development and commercialization of the COVID-19 vaccine:
MIGAL currently seeks partners to support its development and commercialization of a human COVID
19 vaccine in the following areas:
• Partners that can initiate a preclinical study, in a short pathway, according to worldwide regulations,
accepted by the authorities of Israel, USA, Europe and China.
• Partners that can further promote clinical studies.
• Partners that can further promote industrial product development and production of vaccine, and
approved by the authorities to produce.
• Partners that can provide funding in return for equity.
Getting close to a solution
for the Coronavirus
Project Proposal Helping MIGAL’s Coronavirus Vaccine Development 4
Supporting the project:
Contribution and funding of the Migal Vaccine Knowledge Center will accelerate the center's research
activities and advance the capabilities of the current COVID-19 vaccine development and additional
vaccines for future epidemics. This platform will allow the rapid adaptation of new vaccines to viruses
and epidemics that are constantly undergoing changes and continue to attack every few years in
different parts of the world.
Contribution of US $155,000 will fund a PhD Scientist for 1 year.
Contribution of US $130,000 will fund a Research Assistant MSc/PhD for 1 year.
Contribution of US $85,000 will fund a lab equipment and materials for 1 year.
• Migal intends to transfer the IP developed through this project via a commercial company to
purchasers for final product development and marketing.
• The IP for the platform will remain owned by Migal, enabling the development of new
vaccines for other viruses and diseases.
From the press:
English
https://scrip.pharmaintelligence.informa.com/SC141784/Israeli-RD-Team-Claim-To-Be-Near-
COVID19-Vaccine
https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-vaccine-weeks-away-being-developed-says-head-israeli-
science-research-institute-1489694
https://nocamels.com/2020/03/israeli-scientists-avian-vaccine-adapt-coronavirus/
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2020/february/breakthrough-israeli-scientists-say-they-
rsquo-ll-have-a-coronavirus-vaccine-in-just-weeks
https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Israeli-scientists-In-three-weeks-we-will-have-coronavirus-
vaccine-619101
French
http://www.actuj.com/2020-03/israel/8548-rencontre-avec-ouri-ben-herzl-vice-directeur-general-
de-l-institut-israelien-de-recherche-migal-il-s-agit-d-un-vaccin-preventif-qui-sera-administre-par-
voie-orale#
https://fl24.net/2020/02/27/vrai-ou-faux-israel-annonce-avoir-decouvert-le-vaccin-contre-le-
coronavirus/
https://www.la- croix.com/Sciences- et- ethique/Coronavirus-temps-perdu-recherche -
Sras-2020-03-03-1301081779
http://www1.alliancefr.com/actualites/israel-dans-quelques-semaines-nous-aurons-un-vaccin-
contre-le-coronavirus-6084883
Videos
https://youtu.be/zjPKCSa24a8
https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5685810,00.html
For further information please contact your local Keren Hayesod - UIA emissary or Projects Department:
48 King George St. P.O.B 7583, Jerusalem 91074, Israel.
5
Tel. +972-2-670-1836 Fax.+972-2-670-1928 | info@khuia.org | www.kh-uia.org.il |
| Join us on Facebook
You can also read
