Vaccine should work against COVID-19 variants, says VIDO-InterVac

The vaccine under development at VIDO-InterVac in Saskatoon should be effective against new COVID-19 variants, according to the head of the lab.

Speaking to Gormley guest host Michael Couros on Wednesday, Dr. Volker Gerdts said based on animal testing, the vaccine should offer protection.

“What we’re getting with our vaccine is what we call a really broad immune response and so therefore, we think we will cover all these new variants as they emerge,” Gerdts said.

The vaccine has started Phase 1 of clinical trials in Halifax, where it will be tested for safety. Gerdts said that could take months or possibly up to a year, although once the data comes in, testing can proceed to Phase 2 after weeks.

In Phase 2, the vaccine will be tested to see if it induces an immune response. That will happen in the spring, Gerdts said.

Phase 3 tests the vaccine in real life and that would happen “as soon as possible.” The hope would be to get emergency authorization afterward.

Gerdts had a hard time pinpointing when that would be.

“It’s really hard to predict whether it’s the end of the year, or maybe very early next year,” he said.

Once that happens, the goal would be to manufacture the vaccine at VIDO-InterVac’s facility, which is currently under construction. Gerdts said it should be complete by the end of October, with certification afterwards to take a few months.

He said there will be another certification process before manufacturing starts. Gerdts predicts that will happen in 2022.