AAV Vectored Immunoprophylaxis for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 in the Elderly and Immunocompromised

As of May 1st, 2020, over 3.2 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, resulting in over 233,000 deaths globally. This project aims to provide an alternative vaccine for the prevention and treatment COVID-19 in high risk individuals, mainly the elderly and immunocompromised, who do not respond well to tranditional vaccination. Using a single viral vector platform, we will deliver broadly protective monoclonal antibody genes isolated from human survivors of COVID-19 to provide sustained levels of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection for all individuals, particularly the elderly and immunocompromised. This project will help Avamab Pharma Inc. bring its first AAV VIP therapy to human clinical trials, with the ultimate goal of providing high risk patient populations with an urgently needed prophylactic against COVID-19.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sarah Wootton

Student:

Amira Rghei

Partner:

Avamab Pharma Inc

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Guelph