UK-based Scancell has received funding from Innovate UK through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to fund the Phase I study of its Covid-19 vaccine. The funding has been estimated at £2m, which should cover the majority of the development and Phase I costs.

Scancell’s Covid-19 vaccine is a DNA candidate that targets dendritic cells to stimulate a potent T cell response. The vaccine also targets both the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ nucleocapsid and spike protein.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

It builds on the company’s ImmunoBody cancer vaccine, SCIB1, which is showing successful results in an ongoing Phase I/II trial.

Scancell CEO Dr Cliff Holloway noted: “We are delighted that Innovate UK has chosen to support our novel COVID-19 vaccine.

“This funding will allow us to accelerate progress towards our planned Phase 1 clinical trial, COVIDITY.

“Although other vaccines are already in clinical trials, we believe that our approach could result in a second generation vaccine with more potent and long-lasting responses, particularly in the elderly, leading to better protection against COVID-19.”

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.

Scancell chief scientific officer Professor Lindy Durrant added: “T cells, and particularly high avidity T cells, are becoming increasingly recognised as an important factor in vaccine design for inducing long-term immunity against SARS CoV-2.

“Patients who had recovered from the original 2003 SARS infection have measurable T cell responses many years following recovery.

“We have been able to translate our ability to stimulate high avidity T cells to treat melanoma into a vaccine that can potentially provide an effective and durable immune response to COVID-19.”