Study: Covaxin COVID-19 Booster Neutralizes Delta and Omicron Variants

The results of a study conducted at Emory University show that sera from individuals who received a booster dose of their candidate vaccine BBV152, Covaxin, 6 months after getting a primary 2-dose series of the vaccine neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants,

Earlier studies showed the neutralizing potential of BBV152 against SARS-CoV-2 alpha, beta, delta, zeta, and kappa variants.

“The global impact of Omicron shows us that the fight against COVID-19 continues, and we’re encouraged that these data demonstrate the value of COVAXIN™ as a primary and booster vaccine,” Shankar Musunuri, PhD, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of biopharmaceutical company Ocugen, said in a joint statement from Ocugen and its partner, Bharat Biotech, a developer of vaccines for infectious diseases. “These results show how a broad-spectrum vaccine has the potential ability to address ever-shifting public health challenges such as new variants and mutations.”.

Sera samples from 13 individuals who received a booster of BBV152 were observed to be effective in neutralizing the delta and omicron variants on a live-virus neutralization assay. The neutralization activity of BBV152-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in other mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the omicron variant.

Sera was collected 28 days post-booster, which was 6 months following the primary 2-dose series. Following 3 doses, the FRNT50 geometric mean titers of neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant measured in the samples was 75 compared with 480 against the Delta variant and 706 against the vaccine strain, D614G.

More than 90% of all individuals who were boosted with BBV152 showed neutralizing antibodies.

All individuals received an initial 2-dose schedule of BBV152 at day 0 and day 28.

“As the dominant COVID-19 variant throughout the world, omicron poses a serious public health concern,” Mehul Suthar, PhD, assistant professor at the Emory Vaccine Center, said in the statement.

“Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the omicron and delta variants. These findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalizations,” he said.

BBV152 was uniquely formulated so that the same dosage can be administered to adults and children. The vaccine is a ready-to-use liquid, stored at 2º to 8º C, with a 12-month shelf life and a multi-dose vial policy.

The same doses of vaccines can also be used for 2-primary immunizations in adults and in children, as well as for the booster-dose vaccinations.

BBV152 is not approved or authorized for use as a primary or booster dose in the United States.

“We are in a continuous state of innovation and product development for Covaxin. The positive neutralization responses against the omicron and delta variants, validates our hypothesis of a multi epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses,” Krishna Ella, PhD, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech, said in the statement.

“Our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 have been achieved with the use of Covaxin as a universal vaccine for adults and children,” he said.

The study will be published on medRXiv.

Reference

COVAXIN (BBV152) booster shown to neutralize both omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. Globe Newswire. News release. January 12, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2022. Email.