Current and future nanoparticle vaccines for COVID-19

Mai N Vu; Hannah G Kelly; Stephen J Kent; Adam K Wheatley

doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103699

Current and future nanoparticle vaccines for COVID-19

EBioMedicine. 2021 Dec:74:103699. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103699. Epub 2021 Nov 19.

Authors

Mai N Vu¹, Hannah G Kelly², Stephen J Kent³, Adam K Wheatley⁴

Affiliations

¹ Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Pharmaceutics, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam.
² Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
³ Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. Electronic address: skent@unimelb.edu.au.
⁴ Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: a.wheatley@unimelb.edu.au.

Abstract

COVID-19 has become a major cause of global mortality and driven massive health and economic disruptions. Mass global vaccination offers the most efficient pathway towards ending the pandemic. The development and deployment of first-generation COVID-19 vaccines, encompassing mRNA or viral vectors, has proceeded at a phenomenal pace. Going forward, nanoparticle-based vaccines which deliver SARS-CoV-2 antigens will play an increasing role in extending or improving vaccination outcomes against COVID-19. At present, over 26 nanoparticle vaccine candidates have advanced into clinical testing, with ∼60 more in pre-clinical development. Here, we discuss the emerging promise of nanotechnology in vaccine design and manufacturing to combat SARS-CoV-2, and highlight opportunities and challenges presented by these novel vaccine platforms.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; SARS-CoV-2; nanoparticle vaccine; neutralizing antibody; protein nanoparticle.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
Antibodies, Viral / blood
COVID-19 / prevention & control*
COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
Humans
Immunogenicity, Vaccine / immunology*
Liposomes / pharmacology*
Nanoparticles
Pandemics / prevention & control
SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
Vaccine Development / methods

Substances

Antibodies, Neutralizing
Antibodies, Viral
COVID-19 Vaccines
Lipid Nanoparticles
Liposomes