An experimental coronavirus vaccine designed to protect against a wider range of related viruses has cleared its first human clinical trial, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge and DIOSynVax. The early-stage study, published in the Journal of Infection, involved 39 adults aged 18 to 50 and found the vaccine was safe, with no significant side effects reported.
Unlike many current vaccines, which are updated to match circulating strains, the candidate targets shared features across the Sarbeco coronavirus family. That group includes SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, SARS, and related bat coronaviruses that have not infected humans but are monitored as possible spillover threats.
The vaccine’s active ingredient was created through computer modeling, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Researchers analyzed genetic data from surveillance programs and designed what they call a “super-antigen” intended to train the immune system against characteristics common to the virus family. In the trial, participants developed immune responses not only to SARS-CoV-2 and SARS but also to related bat viruses tested in the study.
The candidate was delivered as a DNA vaccine using a needle-free microfluidic jet system. Researchers say the platform could potentially support faster vaccination campaigns and offer an option for people who avoid needles, though those practical advantages remain to be tested at scale.
Scientists involved in the project say the broader approach may one day be applied to other virus families, including influenza and Ebola viruses. They argue that broader vaccines could reduce reliance on repeatedly reformulating shots after new variants emerge.
The results are preliminary. A larger Phase 2 study is planned to test immune responses in a more diverse group and to assess whether the vaccine can produce strong, durable and wide-ranging protection. The project was funded mainly by Innovate UK, and the vaccine is not yet available publicly.