On Sept. 1, 2020, MediciNova announced development progress on its intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19 utilizing BC-PIV, a viral vector platform technology developed by Mie University and BioComo.

We have designed multiple vaccine prototypes using a number of combinations of modality and antigen which are highly expected to induce immunity. Among these multiple prototypes, we have confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 specific protein antigen mounted on their membrane surfaces binds with ACE2, which is a known receptor of SARS-CoV-2.

We also examined the induction of specific antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein by inoculating mice with these vaccine prototypes using a single intranasal dose. Induction of specific antibodies against this SARS-CoV-2 antigen was measured using ELISA tests and compared. We narrowed the vaccine prototypes down to several candidates that induced a stronger specific antibody response for future development.

We are currently in the process of analyzing neutralizing antibody titers through in-vivo testing. In addition to this, we plan to conduct the following tests.

ACE2 is an enzyme attached to the membranes of cells in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidneys, and intestines. As a transmembrane protein, ACE2 serves as the main entry point into cells for some coronaviruses, including HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV (the virus that causes SARS) and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).