Inventprise, a clinical-stage vaccine company, has published preclinical data demonstrating its novel bivalent SARS-CoV-2 conjugate vaccine's potential to provide broad and durable protection against evolving COVID-19 variants. The landmark study, published in Vaccine Journal (Vol. 54, April 30, 2025, Article 126988), represents a significant advancement in COVID-19 vaccine technology with implications for global immunization strategies.
Conjugate Technology Platform Shows Promise
The 18-month study, initiated in 2022 and completed in late 2023, leveraged Inventprise's proprietary linker protein conjugation technology platform. This advanced approach is designed to enhance vaccine immunogenicity by stimulating both arms of the immune system: B-cell (antibody-mediated) and T-cell (cellular) immunity.
"We are excited to share these results, which highlight the power of conjugate vaccine platforms, not just for COVID-19, but potentially for a wide range of infectious diseases," said Ivan Olave, VP of Viral Vaccines at Inventprise.
Broad Variant Protection Demonstrated
Unlike widely used mRNA vaccines that primarily induce short-term antibody responses, Inventprise's conjugate vaccine is designed to trigger robust and lasting immunity. The vaccine conjugates a detoxified diphtheria-derived carrier protein (rCRM197) to the SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Delta strain surface protein expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.
Key findings from the preclinical study include:
- Broad neutralizing antibody responses across up to five SARS-CoV-2 variants
- Evidence of both humoral and cellular immune activation, including memory T-cell formation
- Theoretical potential for longer-lasting protection, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for booster shots
While the lasting effects of immunity were not fully confirmed within the study's timeframe, the data suggest that the conjugate approach could address limitations in the duration of protection of current mRNA-based vaccine strategies.
Global Health Equity Implications
Protein conjugate vaccines, already in use for diseases like Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcus, are known for their safety, scalability, and durability. Inventprise's platform extends these advantages to COVID-19 and potentially other pathogens requiring long-lasting immunity.
"This platform represents a sustainable path forward for equitable immunization, especially in settings where cold-chain requirements and booster logistics remain major hurdles," added Inventprise CEO Yves Leurquin.
Pipeline and Future Development
Inventprise is actively exploring funding and partnership opportunities to advance research on these findings and further define the duration of protection and possible future applications. The company currently has other lead vaccine candidates in clinical trials, including its 25-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine for adults and infants, and its IVT GBS-06 Hexavalent Group B Streptococcal Vaccine.
The Redmond, Washington-based company, founded in 2012 by Dr. Subhash Kapre, develops high-valency vaccines to protect against global infectious diseases using advanced R&D, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and proprietary PEG linker conjugation technology.
