Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) has announced what chief executive Lindy Durrant described as "highly encouraging" results from the company’s phase I clinical trial of its Covid vaccines.
The COVIDITY study was conducted at the University of Cape Town Lung Institute in South Africa and tested the safety and immune response of two candidates, SCOV1 and SCOV2.
They were assessed in unvaccinated people and used as boosters in pre-infected or pre-vaccinated volunteers.
The results showed that SCOV1 and SCOV2 induced both neutralising antibody and T-cell responses with a seroconversion rate of 67% in vaccine-naive subjects, demonstrating their effectiveness in inducing immune responses, Scancell said.
Both vaccines are based on the company’s ImmunoBody technology and incorporate its AvidiMab modifications to enhance the immune responses further. They were delivered using needle-free technology developed by PharmaJet.
"The success of a human trial demonstrating that an AvidiMab-modified DNA vaccine, delivered via a needle-free injection, can induce both T-cell and antibody responses, with no safety concerns, is a pivotal proof point for Scancell's clinical strategy,” said CEO Durrant.
The company will now seek a partner to progress the COVIDITY vaccine programme and focus its resources on its portfolio of innovative immuno-oncology drug candidates.