Burnet COVID-19 Vaccine

An effective vaccine for emerging variants

Developed through the Burnet Vaccine Initiative

While current vaccines have proven highly effective at targeting initial SARS-CoV-2 strains, they're less effective for newer variants including Omicron.

Researchers from the Burnet Vaccine Initiative are working on a vaccine to target newer variants, resulting in broader and strong antibody responses.

Find out more below.

The Need

Current vaccines have proven highly effective at targeting the initial SARS-CoV-2 strains however, they’ve been shown to be less effective for newer variants including Omicron.

As new variants of concern emerge, new vaccines need to be developed and tested. This can be expensive and time-consuming, and often leaves developing nations further behind on vaccine doses.

Better, long lasting vaccines are required to eliminate transmission and strengthen global immunity.

A universal vaccine would offer stronger, longer protection against COVID-19, and provide vaccine access equity without the need for extra vaccines.

Why are some variants more resistant?

Below are structures of the Spike trimers from Ancestral, Delta, Omicron BA.1 and Omicron BA4/5 as seen by cryo-electron microscopy. The NTD and RBD contain the key targets of protective antibodies produced by vaccination (and prior infection).

Mutations L452R (yellow) and F486V (not visible) in Omicron BA.4/5 RBD are responsible for increased resistance to neutralization.

Mutations L452R (yellow) and F486V (not visible) in Omicron BA.4/5 RBD are responsible for increased resistance to neutralization.

Since Delta has so few mutations in each of the NTD and RBD, first-generation vaccines using the Ancestral Spike sequence (Moderna, Pfizer, Astrazeneca) remain effective in protecting against this variant. This is not the case for Omicron.

Antibodies induced by existing vaccinations are 10x less effective in Omicron BA.1 compared with Delta, due to more mutations in BA.1 NTD and RBD.

The Technology

Burnet scientists have introduced mutations into the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that make it extremely stable. This stability allows the spike protein to display key targets that the immune system recognises, and therefore makes antibodies against, for longer periods of time within vaccines. This results in antibody responses that are broadly effective against SARS CoV-2 variants.

Preclinical studies have shown that the stabilised Spike antigen produces a robust antibody response. It has also been shown to produce a strong response against omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The antigen is now ready to be tested as a mRNA vaccine.

Track Record

Burnet Institute has extensive experience in vaccine development for diseases including malaria, HIV and hepatitis C.

The Institute has strong relationships with pharmaceutical companies including CSL, and is well poised to ensure the smooth transition of vaccine candidates to a pharmaceutical partner for clinical development.