[This message has been edited by sourmash (edited 01-26-2021).]

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 01-26-2021).]

Can a Covid vaccine candidate be like a McLaren 720S GT3? And what's it got to do with Frank Sinatra?

Actually, it's not available yet under the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization program and may never progress all the way to that milestone, but fingers are crossed.

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

"Artist’s depiction of an ultrapotent COVID-19 vaccine candidate in which 60 pieces of a coronavirus protein (red) decorate nanoparticles (blue and white)." Credit: Ian C. Haydon Institute for Protein Design.

The way to say it is "Icosavax IVX-411." Shorten it to "Icosavax 411" and it sounds like the next blockbuster feature length movie, or the next video production from that notorious filmmaker Michael Moore.

This is (part of) how it was summarized in "Cell" on November 25, 2020.

quote We describe the structure-based design of self-assembling protein nanoparticle immunogens that elicit potent and protective antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in mice. The nanoparticle vaccines display 60 SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domains (RBDs) in a highly immunogenic array and induce neutralizing antibody titers 10-fold higher than the prefusion-stabilized spike despite a 5-fold lower dose.

"Elicitation of Potent Neutralizing Antibody Responses by Designed Protein Nanoparticle Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2"
Alexandra C. Walls et al; Cell; November 25, 2020.
https://www.cell.com/cell/f...0092-8674(20)31450-1

This summary is perhaps more to the point:

quote An ultrapotent nanoparticle candidate vaccine against COVID-19 has been developed with structure-based vaccine design techniques invented at UW [University of Washington] Medicine. It is a self-assembling protein nanoparticle that displays 60 copies of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein's receptor-binding domain in a highly immunogenic array. The molecular structure of the vaccine roughly mimics that of a virus, which may account for its enhanced ability to provoke an immune response.

"Ultrapotent COVID-19 vaccine candidate designed via computer"
ScienceDaily; November 2, 2020.
https://www.sciencedaily.co.../11/201102110024.htm

ScienceDaily:

quote Preclinical data published in Cell show the nanoparticle vaccine spurs extremely high levels of protective antibodies in animal models

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News:

quote The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has provided a $10 million grant designed to support the company’s COVID-19 vaccine program through the first-in-human Phase I clinical trial in young and older adults, expected to begin in mid-2021. Icosavax has also received $6.5 million from Open Philanthropy to support development of the company’s vaccine platform technology and COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

"Icosavax – IVX-411"
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News; November 3, 2020.
https://www.genengnews.com/...es/icosavax-ivx-411/

It's like the McLaren 720S GT3 of Covid vaccine platforms. Could anything be more technologically advanced than this? I'm thinking back to a scene from the original Manchurian Candidate, where the Frank Sinatra character displayed a one-off deck of playing cards--well, here:

https://youtu.be/EnfAVLatlmY

"52 Red Queens" has become "60 Covid Spikes"... 60 SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domains or RBDs (as distinct from RBGs!) that are saying to the Covid-19 virus "It's over. The spikes are smashed. They're smashed as of now because we say so. We're busting up the RNA. We're tearing out all the proteins. You don't work anymore."

This PowerPoint or PowerPoint-like image was part of today's White House briefing from that new red-haired ingenue (see what I just did?) Jen Psaki.

CLICK FOR FULL SIZE

More about Icosavax and their VLP (Virus Like Particle) vaccine candidates

"Icosavax RSV and SARS-CoV-2 VLP Vaccine Candidates"
Icosavax; 4Q 2020.
https://www.icosavax.com/icosavax-vaccine-pipeline

"Icosavax Turns VLP Tech to COVID-19 Vaccine, with $16.5 Million in New Financing"
Gail Dutton for BioSpace; November 2, 2020.
https://www.biospace.com/ar...on-in-new-financing/

"Icosavax’s Nanoparticle VLP-based Vaccine Offers First-in-Class Solution for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)"

quote RSV is the viral trigger to pneumonia. Like the seasonal flu, those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

Gail Dutton for BioSpace; May 13, 2020.
https://www.biospace.com/ar...s-solution-for-rsv-/

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 01-30-2021).]

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 01-27-2021).]

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 01-27-2021).]