Applied DNA Sciences: The PCR-produced linear DNA is expected to accelerate vaccine production. Credit: Ulrike Leone from Pixabay.

Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates

Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Applied DNA Sciences has extended its partnership with Takis Biotech to include the development of a vaccine for 2019-nCoV coronavirus.

LineaRx, a subsidiary of Applied DNA, will work with Takis Biotech on preclinical development of a linear DNA vaccine based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The PCR-produced DNA could accelerate vaccine production, avoid antibiotics and associated resistance genes and provide simple design, as well as deliver strong immunogenicity.

Applied DNA adds that a linear DNA vaccine gene will be sufficient even without integration into the patient’s genome.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Applied DNA and LineaRx president and CEO Dr James Hayward said: “We have a patented and proprietary platform for the production of linear DNA that empowers rapid development and large-scale production that we believe will yield a safe and effective vaccine with fewer risks than other DNA production platforms.

“As is typical for RNA viruses, coronaviruses mutate at rapid rates that require constant surveillance. We believe that one of the many benefits of PCR-produced linear DNA is the rapidity at which a putative vaccine can be revised to accommodate mutational drift.”

The partners commenced the design and optimisation of a synthetic gene, delivered to muscles for the temporary generation of a designed antigen, which could trigger an immune response against the coronavirus.

Furthermore, linear DNA could be available for testing within the next 60-90 days.

After constructing the optimised gene, the company will then manufacture the vaccine prototype at large scale for preclinical testing in mice.

Applied DNA Sciences is the latest among pharmaceutical companies working on the development of a vaccine against 2019-nCoV. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US was the first to start exploring a potential vaccine for the virus.