On Aug. 13, 2020, Heat Biologics reported preclinical data for Heat’s gp96-based COVID-19. The data, generated at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, showed robust T cell mediated immune response directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Heat Biologics’ COVID-19 vaccine induced the expansion of both “killer” CD8+ T cells that destroy virus infected cells, as well as “helper” CD4+ T cells that assist in producing highly specific antibodies.