Codiak’s pan beta-coronavirus vaccine; plus CNS-penetrating AAV9 variants and more

Codiak BioSciences Inc. (NASDAQ:CDAK) presented data at the 2022 Vaccines Summit showing its bivalent pan beta-coronavirus vaccine generated protective immunity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, with minimal lung inflammation following lethal challenge, and seven circulating bat coronaviruses. The vaccine was developed using its modular vaccine platform, exoVACC, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. 

The construct carries the SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 RBD proteins on the surface of an exosome, with structurally constrained T cell antigens expressed within the lumen and a STING agonist as adjuvant. Codiak’s strategy builds on previous experience using exosomes to prompt cell-type-specific uptake of STING agonists, which is being applied in programs for solid tumors and gene therapy...