SECOND (CBSLA) – A new vaccine developed by one of the owners of the Los Angeles Lakers could provide protection against COVID-19 without the need for an injection.
An El Segundo research institute is testing whether a COVID-19 oral vaccine could work as well, if not better, than existing vaccines. (CBSLA)
Researchers at the Chan Soon-Shiong Research Institute in El Segundo are testing whether a number of capsules could work as well, if not better, than existing COVID vaccines.
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“Having a room temperature vaccine, which could be a pill, changes lives,” said Dr. Tara Seery, a study physician.
The oral vaccine is part of an experimental protocol tested in healthy volunteers such as Matt Henshaw.
But since scientists still don’t know if the pills alone can prevent transmission, researchers are testing four different approaches. Some patients, such as Henshaw, receive an injection and two rounds of pills.
But administering the vaccine in a capsule is not the only thing that differentiates this vaccine from others.
While existing vaccines help create antibodies against the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus, the ImmunityBio T cell vaccine targets the middle globe – some scientists say it is less prone to mutations.
“And the value of doing this is that we’re generating killer T cells,” said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who is part of the Lakers owner and part of the vaccine’s brain.
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Researchers at ImmunityBio hypothesize that they can create long-term protection against the virus by generating both killer T cells and antibodies.
Soon-Shiong believes there are reasons for optimism for lasting protection, even if the vaccine funded by Operation Warp Speed is still in the experimental stages, with safety and efficacy yet to be proven.
“We know from SARS-VOC-1 earlier in 2003, people who became infected then have T cells that lasted 17 years,” he said.
As for administering the vaccine orally, it’s not just to avoid a necessary blow, with Soon-Shiong believing that the combination of the two could be the key.
“By giving a jab, we hope to develop T cells around your body,” he said. “And by oral administration, we protect the mucous membranes, the intestine and, hopefully, the nose, the mouth, because that’s how the virus enters. It does not enter through your blood. ”
As for Henshaw, now that he has finished his vaccine and boosters, he will undergo intensive monitoring for the next 12 months and hopes that his experience will encourage others to enter a trial.
“The virus is moving,” he said. “So, I hope we have solutions.”
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The study is open to healthy adults under the age of 55 who are not pregnant and have not had COVID. More information about the vaccination process can be found on the ImmunityBio website.