COVAXIN Booster Shown to Neutralize Both Omicron and Delta Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Bharat Biotech announced today the results from a study conducted at Emory University demonstrating that sera from subjects who received a booster dose of COVAXIN® (BBV152)six months after getting a primary two-dose series of COVAXIN® (BBV152), neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 Omicronand Delta variants.
Earlier studies demonstrated the neutralizing potential of COVAXIN® (BBV152) against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa
The trials indicated that a booster shot of Covaxin neutralises the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid. “The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant,” Bharat Biotech announced today.
3 Takeaways of COVAXIN Booster Study on Covid-19 Variants Omicron and Delta
- Booster dose of vaccine, COVAXIN® (BBV152), generated robust neutralizing antibody responses against bothOmicron (B.1.529) and Delta (B.1.617.2) using a live virus neutralization assay.
- 100% of test serum samples showed neutralization of the Delta variant and more than 90% of serum samples showed neutralization of the Omicron variant
- These data add to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum mechanism of action of a whole virus inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, like COVAXIN® (BBV152), is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic
“As the dominant COVID-19 variant throughout the world, Omicron poses a serious public health concern,” said Mehul Suthar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Emory Vaccine Center and who led the laboratory analysis. “Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of COVAXIN® have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants.
These findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity andhospitalizations.”
Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said, “We are in a continuous state of innovation and product development for COVAXIN®. The positive neutralization responses against the Omicron and Delta variants, validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 have been achieved with the use of COVAXIN® as a universal vaccine for adults and children.”
COVAXIN® is formulated uniquely such that the same dosage can be administered to adults and children alike
“The global impact of Omicron shows us that the fight against COVID-19 continues, and we’re encouraged that these data demonstrate the value of COVAXIN® as a primary and booster vaccine,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, Ocugen, Inc. “These results show how a broad-spectrum vaccine has the potential ability to address ever-shifting public health challenges such as new variants and mutations.”
The study conducted at US’ Emory University, established that that over 90% of subjects who received a booster shot six months after their second dose of the Covaxin vaccine, showed neutralising antibodies.
The Covaxin maker had earlier said that an analysis showed that a third dose of the vaccine was safe and also increased the immunity against the virus.
“Neutralising antibodies against homologous and heterologous SARS-CoV-2 variants increased from 19 to 265 folds after a third vaccination,” Bharat Biotech had said.
About the COVAXIN BOOSTER Study
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of COVAXIN® (BBV152) against the Omicron variant, Ocugen contracted with the Emory Vaccine Center (Atlanta, GA) to test human immune sera obtained from participants (n=13) in an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04471519). Sera was collected 28-days post booster – six months following the primary two-dose series.
Each sera was tested in a neutralization assay. Following three doses, the FRNT50 geometric mean titers (GMTs) of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant measured in the samples was 75, compared to 480 against the Delta variant and 706 against the vaccine strain, D614G.
