Scancell Holdings PLC (LON:SCLP) shares jumped higher on Friday as it revealed it has begun a research programme to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus.
The project, to be led by the company’s chief scientific officer Lindy Durrant, will aim to utilise the company’s clinical expertise in cancer to produce a cost-effective and scalable vaccine to induce both durable T cell responses and virus neutralising antibodies against coronavirus.
READ: Scancell receives US regulatory green light
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the induction of potent and activated T cells may play a critical role in the development of long-term immunity and clearance of virus-infected cells. Although other vaccines may reach the clinic earlier, the company believes its combined T cell and antibody approach should give more potent and long-lasting responses, ultimately leading to better protection”, Scancell said in a statement.
Initial research is now underway, with the company anticipating a phase 1 clinical trial in the first quarter of 2021. The firm is also “actively seeking” development partners and additional partners to support rapid development of the vaccine.
“Vaccines are the long-term solution and we believe our combined high avidity T cell and neutralising antibody approach has the potential to produce a second-generation vaccine that will generate an effective and durable immune response to [coronavirus]", Durrant said.
Shares in Scancell soared 60.8% higher to 8.2p on Friday morning.
-- Adds share price --