Agreement on Development of Broad-spectrum β-Coronavirus Lineage B Vaccine signed, aiming for a supe
Author:超级管理员 Release time:2021-12-13 22:18:52
Shanghai, China, and Temple City, CA, USA — December 13, 2021 — Recently, Fulgent Genetics, a Nasdaq-listed company in the United States, signed an agreement with Fudan University and Shanghai BravoBio Co., Ltd. to jointly develop a broad-spectrum Beta-coronavirus lineage B vaccine.
Coronaviruses (CoVs), enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses, are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. The viruses mainly infect vertebrates and widely exist in human, mammals and birds hosts. There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses, known as alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), and delta (δ). β-coronavirus can be further divided into four lineages: A, B, C and D. The lineage B (also known as Sarbecoviruses) includes COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and its variants, and SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoV). These viruses are always the causes to SARS-related highly pathogenic, infectious diseases.
Shereen MA et al, J. Adv. Res. 24: 91-98, 2020
Professors Jiang Shibo and Lu Lu’s team in the Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of the Ministries of Education and Health, Fudan University, and Shanghai Municipal Institute of Major Infectious Diseases and Biosafety, have maintained a leading position in the fields of developing highly potent and broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus vaccines and therapeutics. They have published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers in top journals like Cell, Nature, Science and Lancet and their sister journals. Professor Jiang reported at the first in 2004 that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in spike protein of a coronavirus (e.g., SARS-CoV) is the most important target for developing human coronavirus vaccines and neutralizing antibody-based therapeutics. Professor Jiang said: "We are very happy to reach a cooperation agreement with Fulgent and BravoBio to jointly develop a highly potent and broad-spectrum pan-sarbecovirus vaccine in order to combat the pandemics or epidemics of the current and future coronavirus infectious diseases."
Dr. Hsieh Ming, academician of U.S. National Academy of Engineering and founder of Fulgent, said: "CF-501 adjuvant developed by Fulgent is a STING agonist, it can greatly increase and mobilize human body’s inherent immune response, and thus help the vaccine antigen to generate a long-lasting and broader-spectrum immune response against the coronavirus. Together with the efforts from other two parties, we hope to develop a superweapon against SARS-CoV-2 and other sarbecoviruses as well as their variants."
Dr. Wu Ke, founder of BravoBio, said: "We are very honored to reach an agreement with Fudan University and Academician Dr. Hsieh Ming of Fulgent. BravoBio is specializing in the research and development of innovative vaccines. Recently, our COVID-19 vaccine, BravoCoVac®, has secured Clinical Trial Authorization in Latin America. Sarbecovirus, represented by emerging dangerous Coronaviruses, is always a threat to human society. As the virus is prone to mutation, makes it more difficult to develop vaccines. Based on the existing achievements of Fudan University and Fulgent, we hope to develop a broad-spectrum vaccine against sarbecovirus to control the pandemic, producing long-acting and efficient protection. We will make use of our strength in industrial development to push the vaccine to clinical stage as soon as possible, thus benefiting the global health."
【About the key laboratory of medical molecular virology of ministries of education and health, Fudan University】
The Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, Fudan University was founded by Professor Wen Yumei, a famous microbiologist (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology) in 1984. The laboratory focuses on the studies of the mechanisms and countermeasures of persistent infection of pathogenic microorganisms, and the pathogenesis and control strategies of emerging infectious diseases. It possesses BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories and has established six research platforms for pathogenic microbiology. The two journals founded by the Key laboratory, Microbiology and Infection, a domestic core journal in microbiology, and Emerging Microbes and Infection, an internationally renowned journal in emerging infectious diseases, have great influence in academic world in both China and abroad. Through the talent introduction and cultivation policies, an innovative scientific research team with advanced international level has been successfully established. The Key Laboratory has become a well-known research base and highland in the field of pathogenic microorganism study in China. The Key Laboratory is relied on the Basic Medicines-Pathogenic Biology, which is a national key discipline in China, and a key discipline of Shanghai Peak Plateau Construction.
【About Fulgent】
Fulgent Genetics [NASDAQ: FLGT] is a rapidly growing biotechnology company offering comprehensive genetic testing and oncology services, with the goal of improving patient care. One of Fulgent’s most distinct features is its proprietary technology platform that integrates artificial intelligence, data mining and suppression algorithms, adaptive learning software, advanced genetic tools, and integrated laboratory management. Fulgent Genetics was the first clinical laboratory to offer copy number variation detection using NGS technology in the United States. Today, Fulgent Genetics continues to offer an unrivaled catalog of genetic testing. Fulgent offers over 18,000+ single genes, 800+ rare disease tests, whole genome sequencing, and whole genome copy number variation analysis, mitochondrial sequencing, and CLIA/CAP quality sequencing services.
【About BravoBio】
Shanghai BravoBio Co., Ltd (BravoBio) was established in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Shanghai in March 2011 and moved to North Shanghai Biopharma Park in October 2021. Its subsidiary company, BravoVax, is a “state level high-tech enterprise” and a council member of China Association of Vaccines (CAV). It was awarded as “China Rising Star” by Deloitte in 2020, becoming the only vaccine company to win this award. The company boasts a number of advanced technology platforms, including gene editing / construction / cloning / detection, large-scale bacterial / cell / virus culture, preparation of bioactive substances (polysaccharide, protein, virus, etc.), conjugation of polysaccharide and protein, novel adjuvant, new process and analytical assays, etc. to meet the needs of developing innovative biologics, especially vaccines. BravoBio has held the mission to improve the quality of people’s lives, aiming for a healthier and happier future.
