Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRNE) has announced a publication entitled, “Chimeric mRNA based COVID-19 vaccine induces protective immunity against Omicron and Delta.”
Sorrento is working on a universal mRNA vaccine
In comparison to the initial SARS-CoV-2 strain, the Omicron strain contains over 30 more mutations in the spike protein-coding sequence, out of which 15 are located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and act to enhance the strength of the Omicron spike binding to the human ACE2 receptor. Therefore, if induced antibodies through vaccination are present with wild-type SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccine, the changes lead to enhanced transmissibility and breakthrough cases.
In the last two years, Sorrento has been exploring strategies for developing mRNA vaccines that can offer broad and effective protection against the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and possible future variants. Notably, the newly designed mRNA vaccine includes mutations in the furin cleavage site that can prevent the S1 subunit cleavage from the spike protein that is bonded to the muscle cell membrane. The modification was introduced to minimize leakage of the S1 subunit from the expressed spike protein into blood circulation, which is the part known to potentially cause undesirable side effects in vital organ tissues after administration of the presently EUA-cleared mRNA vaccines.
When immunized with the designer chimeric Delta RBD-Omicron, there is a significant increase in nAb titer against the Delta variant besides the strong nAbs against the omicron variant. The novel designer chimeric mRNA vaccine offers a robust strategy for creating mRNA vaccines that can protect against concern variants.
Sorrento established a subsidiary in Mexico to commercialize universal mRNA vaccine
CEO Henry Ji said, “The concept of a universal mRNA vaccine is still very appealing for at least two reasons. One is that the virus could continue accumulating more mutations to eventually nullify the effectiveness of marketed mRNA vaccines. Secondly, a universal mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 is much needed worldwide, especially in developing countries.”
The company established a subsidiary, Sorrento Therapeutics Mexico seeking to develop and quickly commercialize a next-generation universal mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-19 in Mexico and also expand to other parts of Latin America.
