EL SEGUNDO (CBSLA) A new vaccine developed by one of the owners of the Los Angeles Lakers can provide protection against COVID-19 without the need for an injection.
A research institute from El Segundo is investigating whether an oral COVID-19 vaccine might as well, if not better, work than existing vaccines. (CBSLA)
Researchers at the Chan Soon-Shiong Research Institute in El Segundo are testing whether a range of capsules can work as well, if not better, than existing COVID vaccines.
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“Having a vaccine with room temperature that can be a pill is life-changing,” said Dr. Tara Seery, a trial physician, said.
The oral vaccine is part of an experimental protocol being tested in healthy volunteers such as Matt Henshaw.
But because scientists do not yet know whether pills alone can prevent transmission, the researchers are testing four different approaches. Some patients, such as Henshaw, receive one injection and two pills.
But delivering the vaccine in a capsule is not the only thing that distinguishes this vaccine from others.
While existing vaccines help to create antibodies against the protein on the surface of the coronavirus, ImmunBio’s T-cell vaccine is targeted around the world – according to scientists, it is less prone to mutation.
“And the value of this is that we generate killer T cells,” said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who is one part of the Lakers owner and one part of the vaccine brain, said.
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The researchers from ImmunityBio assume that they can create long-term protection against the virus by generating both killer T cells and antibodies.
Soon-Shiong believes there is reason for optimism for lasting protection, although the vaccine funded by Operation Warp Speed is still in the experimental stages, with safety and efficacy yet to be proven.
“We know from the previous SARS-COV-1 in 2003 that people who are infected then have T cells that last 17 years,” he said.
When it comes to administering the vaccine orally, it is not just to prevent an essential baby with Soon-Shiong from believing that the combination of the two can be the key.
“By giving a jab, we hope to develop T cells all over your body,” he said. “And by giving orally, we protect the mucous membranes, the intestines and hopefully the nose, the mouth, because that’s how the virus gets in. It doesn’t get in through your blood.”
As for Henshaw, now that he has finished his vaccine and boosters, he will be intensively monitored for the next 12 months, hoping that his experience will encourage others to set up a trial.
“The virus is mutating,” he said. “So I hope we have solutions.”
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The trial is open to healthy adults under the age of 55 who are not pregnant and have not yet had COVID. More information about the vaccination test can be found on ImmunityBio’s website.