TechInvention Lifecare Pvt. Ltd., a Biotech start-up company based out of Mumbai, India has claimed positive outcomes of its recombinant subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoviTechTM) in a ‘single dose’ preliminary study. In the study involving twenty-four (24) ‘Sprague Dawley’ rats, safety was well-established across all the three (3) single dose regimens tested after twenty-one (21) days. Further the study showed a two (2)-fold and a twenty (20)-fold increase in the IgG titre value (compared to adjuvant control) at a dose of 50 mcg/0.5ml and 75 mcg/0.5ml, respectively. Enthused with the promising preliminary results, the company is now advancing further development of the vaccine.

In CoviTechTM, the antigen is expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris, one of the most desirable expression platforms in recombinant technology to produce cost- effective products with high yield and easy scale up process. Products like the Hepatitis B vaccine manufactured using the same platform technology is being administered even to new borns with exceptional safety according to the company sources. As the pandemic continues to unleash mayhem globally, there is an urgent need to develop a safe, effective and low-cost vaccine for developing countries. Our technology addresses several challenges in vaccine design by providing an affordable, safe and effective option for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections in developing countries. Moreover, it neither requires high levels of Bio-containment for manufacturing nor dedicated manufacturing infrastructure thereby enabling ease of technology transfers and manufacturing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

While CoviTechTM is being positioned as an affordable, effective and safe vaccine for the masses, the company is also exploring another vaccine candidate targeting the conserved and immunogenic regions of the virus. This vaccine may have the potential to address the burning issue of mutations, especially the ‘Variants of Concern’ (VOC) which has been hammering countries through subsequent waves of infection.

“We are thankful to the leadership of BSC BioNEST Bio-Incubator at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, India for providing us with the required state-of-the-art research infrastructure for the development of our vaccine through Incubation” said Syed S Ahmed, Founder, Director & CEO, TechInvention. He further added, “We are in discussion with potential pharma companies interested in manufacturing affordable vaccines for developing countries”.