January 22, 2021
Bulletin interne de l'Institut Pasteur
An intranasal lentiviral vaccine in development provides significant protection in animals
Scientists from the Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Laboratory recently published in Cell Host & Microbe1 the results of tests, in two preclinical models, of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate using a lentiviral vector administered by nasal route. Their study demonstrates that the vaccine candidate induces antibody response with strong neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as substantial cell-mediated responses. Intranasal vaccination with this vector drastically reduces lung viral loads and prevents pathogenic pulmonary inflammation. This research proves the high vaccine efficacy and the fact that its intranasal administration attracts the effectors from the protective immune response into the upper respiratory tract through which the virus enters the body.