London-listed Scancell Holdings (AIM:SCLP ) said it has begun a research programme to develop a vaccine for Covid-19.

The group will work with scientists in the Centre for Research on Global Virus Infections and the Biodiscovery Institute at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.

The project, which is to be led by Chief Scientific Officer, Lindy Durrant, will aim to produce a cost-effective and scalable vaccine using the company’s clinical expertise in cancer therapies.

The aim is to utilise the group’s proven clinical expertise to produce a vaccine to induce both durable T cell responses and virus neutralising antibodies (VNAbs) against Covid-19.

Specifically, a DNA vaccine will target the nucleocapsid protein, the key receptor-binding domain of the spike protein, to generate T cell responses and VNAbs against the virus.

Its efforts to join the fight against the virus comes as research data emerges showing the potential ‘critical role’ of the induction of potent and activated T cells in the development of long-term immunity and clearance of virus-infected cells.

Shares in Scancell Holdings were trading 61.76% higher at 8.25p during Friday morning. 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, Scancell has been evaluating how it can best contribute its expertise and resources to help in the global response,” said Durrant.

The group said that whilst other vaccines may reach the clinic earlier, it believes that its combined T cell and antibody approach can give ‘more potent’ and ‘long-lasting responses.’

Durrant said the group’s approach “has the potential to produce a second-generation vaccine that will generate an effective and durable immune response to COVID-19." 

Initial research for a vaccine is now underway and Scancell anticipates initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial, named "COVIDITY", in the first quarter of 2021, subject to funding. 

Scancell added that its new vaccine has the potential to generate protection not only against SARS-CoV-2, but also against new strains of coronavirus that may arise in the future.

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