Research on modified vaccines such as Moderna, Pfizer, and AZ
In order to cope with the ‘Omicron’ mutant virus that has emerged as a new risk variable in the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), vaccine manufacturers have urgently started to develop a modified ‘Booster Shot’. This is in response to concerns raised that Omicron mutations may invalidate the immunity formed by existing vaccines.
In a statement on the 26th (local time), Moderna said, “We have started developing a booster shot that responds to the new Corona 19 concern mutation, Omicron mutation.” “There are growing concerns about omicron mutations,” said Moderna Chief Executive Officer Stefan Bansel.
Moderna has three plans: △increasing the dose of the existing vaccine, △developing a combined vaccine that can respond to existing pathogens and new mutations at once, and △developing a new vaccine that directly responds to omicron mutations. explained that they are researching It usually takes 60 to 90 days for the first experimental vaccine to be made.
BioNTech, which co-developed a COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer, also predicted that “research data on whether the omicron mutation is a species that evades vaccine immunity and whether vaccine modification is necessary will be available within at least two weeks.” “We can ship a new vaccine tailored to the new mutation within 100 days,” he said.
Novavax also predicted that the technology used in existing vaccines could be applied to new mutations, and said, “We will ensure that new vaccines are tested and manufactured within a few weeks.” Johnson & Johnson has started a trial to determine how effective its Janssen vaccine is against omicron mutations, and AstraZeneca is also conducting research in Botswana, where the omicron mutation was first discovered.
Omicron mutations have 32 gene mutations in the spike (protrusion) protein. Considering that the current dominant species, the delta mutation, has 16 mutations, it is twice as many. Viruses use the spike protein to penetrate into the host cell, so if the spike protein is mutated, the infectivity can change and the vaccine effectiveness can be affected. Omicron mutations have recently spread rapidly in South Africa, and cases have also been reported in Hong Kong and Belgium.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the Omicron mutation as a ‘variant of concern’, saying, “Based on preliminary evidence, the risk of reinfection appears to be greater than other mutations.” It is the fifth variable of concern after alpha, beta, gamma and delta.
Kim Pyo-hyang reporter suzak@hankookilbo.com
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