Australia’s first needle-free, gene-based COVID-19 vaccine study will be spearheaded in Western Australia by researchers from The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute.
“The COVIGEN vaccine uses a needle-free system that delivers the DNA for the COVID-19 spike protein through the skin. This technology is already being used for influenza vaccines in the USA and has been shown to be safe and stimulate protective antibodies,” Professor Peter Richmond said.
Australian biotech company Technovalia and its international vaccine partner BioNet have been actively developing gene-based COVID-19 vaccine candidates since March 2020, with preclinical studies already confirming the safety and immunogenicity of COVIGEN.