POP Biotechnologies Releases Phase 3 Interim Results for COVID-19 Vaccine

BUFFALO, NY – POP Biotechnologies (POP BIO), a biopharmaceutical company based in Buffalo, New York, has announced promising results for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, EuCorVac-19. These findings, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, come from a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted in the Philippines.

EuCorVac-19, developed in collaboration with South Korea's EuBiologics, is a recombinant vaccine that features the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on immunogenic liposomes. This design aims to generate a focused immune response against the RBD. Utilizing POP BIO’s spontaneous nanoliposome antigen particle (SNAP™) technology, the vaccine displays the RBD on the surface of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing its efficacy.

The Phase 3 trial involved 2,600 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either EuCorVac-19 or the COVISHIELD™ adenoviral-vectored vaccine, following a two-dose regimen four weeks apart. The interim results revealed that EuCorVac-19 generated significantly higher levels of neutralizing antibodies, along with a reduced incidence of mild side effects after the first dose.

"EuCorVac-19 elicited a strong immune response, showing higher seroresponse rates and greater neutralizing antibody levels against both the original Wuhan strain and the Omicron variant," said Jonathan Lovell, lead author and cofounder of POP BIO, as well as a professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo. "These findings suggest that EuCorVac-19 could be a valuable tool in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, and they validate the potential of the liposome-display technology for protein antigens."

The safety profile of EuCorVac-19 was also favorable, with fewer reported cases of localized and systemic side effects compared to the COVISHIELD™ vaccine after the initial dose.

A representative from EuBiologics mentioned that the clinical results have initiated the process for vaccine registration in the Philippines. The spokesperson added that future updates to the COVID-19 vaccine could be achieved by simply replacing the antigen, depending on strategic decisions. With the platform technology validated, they anticipate accelerating the development of vaccines for other diseases, such as RSV, HZV, and Alzheimer's Disease, which are currently in Phase 1 testing.

Further analysis will provide additional insights into the long-term protection offered by EuCorVac-19. The clinical trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT05572879.

About POP Biotechnologies (POP BIO):
POP Biotechnologies is a private biotechnology company devoted to developing novel therapeutics and vaccines using its proprietary porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) liposome technologies. The PoP platform, exclusively licensed from the State University of New York Research Foundation, offers a versatile means to enhance immune responses.

About POP BIO SNAP™:
The POP BIO SNAP technology facilitates the rapid development and manufacturing of highly immunogenic particle-based vaccines and immunotherapies. It enables the seamless generation of stable particle formation and liposome display of protein and peptide antigens, leading to substantial improvements in immune responses against infectious diseases and cancer.

About EuBiologics:
EuBiologics is a South Korean biotechnology company developing the EuHZV vaccine and other vaccine products. The company operates two main animal-based bioreactors in Chuncheon to produce recombinant protein antigens and adjuvants, with a total production capacity in the hundreds of millions of doses per year.