Cell. 2021 Mar 04; 184(5):1188-1200.e19.

PubMed ID: 33577765

Two-component spike nanoparticle vaccine protects macaques from SARS-CoV-2 infection

Brouwer PJM, Brinkkemper M, Maisonnasse P, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Grobben M, Claireaux M, de Gast M, Marlin R, Chesnais V, Diry S, Allen JD, Watanabe Y, Giezen JM, Kerster G, Turner HL, van der Straten K, van der Linden CA, Aldon Y, Naninck T, Bontjer I, Burger JA, Poniman M, Mykytyn AZ, Okba NMA, Schermer EE, van Breemen MJ, Ravichandran R, Caniels TG, van Schooten J, Kahlaoui N, Contreras V, LemaItre J, Chapon C, Fang RHT, Villaudy J, Sliepen K, van der Velden YU, Haagmans BL, de Bree GJ, Ginoux E, Ward AB, Crispin M, King NP, van der Werf S, van Gils MJ, Le Grand R, Sanders RW

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is continuing to disrupt personal lives, global healthcare systems, and economies. Hence, there is an urgent need for a vaccine that prevents viral infection, transmission, and disease. Here, we present a two-component protein-based nanoparticle vaccine that displays multiple copies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Immunization studies show that this vaccine induces potent neutralizing antibody responses in mice, rabbits, and cynomolgus macaques. The vaccine-induced immunity protects macaques against a high-dose challenge, resulting in strongly reduced viral infection and replication in the upper and lower airways. These nanoparticles are a promising vaccine candidate to curtail the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.