As part of the rapid global response to the 2019 novel coronavirus, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a partnership with Sanofi Pasteur, a business unit of Sanofi, on vaccine development.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), will provide expertise and reallocated funds to support Sanofi’s development of a vaccine. Sanofi will use the company’s egg-free, recombinant DNA platform to produce a recombinant 2019 novel coronavirus vaccine candidate.
According to BARDA, the technology produces an exact genetic match to proteins of the virus. The protein’s DNA will be combined with DNA from a virus harmless to humans, which will be used to rapidly produce large quantities of antigen which stimulate the immune system to protect against the virus. The antigens will be separated and collected from these cells and purified to create working stocks of vaccine for advanced development.
Currently, there are no vaccines or therapeutics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent novel coronavirus infections. However, the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization to enable emergency use of a diagnostic test developed by the Centers for Disease Control
In earlier announcements, BARDA announced several other partnerships. It is working with Janssen Research & Development, part of Johnson & Johnson, to develop treatments and a vaccine. It also is working with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, based in Tarrytown, NY, to develop multiple monoclonal antibodies that, individually or in combination, could be used to treat Covid-19.
