UK COVID-19 vaccine shows positive results

Preclinical testing of a COVID-19 vaccine has yielded positive results at the University of Kentucky. The candidate, called PDS0203, includes Versamune, a technology developed by PDS Biotech that stimulates the immune system to activate T cells.

According to Jerry Woodward, a UK professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, who led the preclinical study, “The most effective vaccines stimulate both antibody and T cells because both of those arms of the immune system are important to eliminate different viral infections.” He said that many vaccines stimulate a good antibody response but don’t activate T cells.

He’s hopeful that an effective vaccine will be available by the end of the year or early 2021. PDS0203 is expected to advance to a Phase 1 clinical trial soon.