Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine from WashU Enters U.S. Phase 1 Trials

A nasal vaccine for COVID-19 developed at Washington University in St. Louis is set to enter a Phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S., following FDA approval of an investigational new drug application by Ocugen, Inc. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will sponsor the trial, which aims to assess the vaccine's safety and efficacy through inhaled and intranasal routes. This innovative technology could induce strong immunity in the upper respiratory tract, potentially stopping transmission of the virus, unlike traditional injected vaccines. The trial is scheduled to start this spring, with the participation of 80 adult volunteers. If successful, this nasal vaccine may not only help control COVID-19 but could also be adapted for other respiratory viruses. Doug E. Frantz, Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Commercialization at WashU, expressed enthusiasm about the technology's potential impact on public health.