Immunogenicity and In vivo protection of a variant nanoparticle vaccine that confers broad protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread globally. As SARS-CoV-2 has transmitted from person to person, variant viruses have emerged with elevated transmission rates and higher risk of infection for vaccinees. We present data showing that a recombinant prefusion-stabilized Spike (rS) protein based on the B.1.351 sequence (rS-B.1.351) was highly immunogenic in mice and produced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2/WA1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351. Mice vaccinated with our prototype vaccine NVX-CoV2373 (rS-WU1) or rS-B.1.351 alone, in combination, or as a heterologous prime boost, were protected when challenged with live SARS-CoV-2/B.1.1.7 or SARS-CoV-2/B.1.351. Virus titer was reduced to undetectable levels in the lungs post-challenge in all vaccinated mice, and Th1-skewed cellular responses were observed. A strong anamnestic response was demonstrated in baboons boosted with rS-B.1.351 approximately one year after immunization with NVX-CoV2373 (rS-WU1). An rS-B.1.351 vaccine alone or in combination with prototype rS-WU1 induced protective antibody- and cell-mediated responses that were protective against challenge with SARS-CoV-2 variant viruses.