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The tuberculosis vaccine called Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been around since the beginning of the last century. It is the only approved tuberculosis vaccine. To date, more than four million doses have been administered. The new VPM1002 is based on this vaccine.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology developed the vaccine by genetically modifying BCG. If the vaccine has successfully completed the clinical trial, it will be used worldwide against tuberculosis in the coming years.
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Infection biologist Stefan Kaufmann wants to strengthen basic immunity against lung diseases with the vaccine.
Infection biologist Stefan Kaufmann was responsible for the development of VPM1002. Scientists are now also testing its effectiveness on COVID-19. The predecessor has already been tested in many ways. “Controlled studies have shown that BCG can protect against viral respiratory infections. BCG stimulates innate immunity and can be used to build a defense against viral respiratory infections. Based on this, we know that our new vaccine works in a similar way is likely “TB expert Kaufmann told DW. That also gives hope for COVID-19.
VPM1002 strengthens the immune system
Mouse studies show that VPM1002 activates the immune system and could significantly reduce viral infections like COVID-19.
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A vaccine or pathogen always stimulates two types of body defenses. One is innate or nonspecific immunity. It can kill pathogens very quickly. The other is acquired or specific immunity. “The interaction between these two immunities ensures the best possible immune response and the best defense for the body,” explains Kaufmann.
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VPM1002 will play an important role in the fight against the mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The first obstacle has been overcome
The Paul Ehrlich Institute has already approved the Phase III clinical trial for VPM1002 against COVID-19. It is carried out in several German clinics, including the Hannover Medical School (MHH).
In early May, scientists should assess whether the new VMP1002 tuberculosis vaccine nonspecifically activates the immune system. “This is intended to alleviate serious courses of respiratory diseases like COVID-19,” explains Jacobus Bosch. He is one of the scientists on the team led by Professor Christoph Schindler, who is leading the study. It focuses on the effect as a possible COVID-19 agent.
“The new VPM 1002 tuberculosis vaccine in Hannover is being tested exclusively to determine its efficacy in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation,” says Bosch. 1000 subjects participated in the first national study. They all work in the medical field, so they are particularly exposed to possible infection.
“In another study, we plan to investigate the effectiveness of the improved VPM1002 tuberculosis vaccine in people over the age of 60. The question is whether VPM1002 can effectively protect this currently particularly vulnerable age group,” explains study leader Schindler. In this second study, 2000 subjects from all over the country will participate.
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Every year, more than a million people worldwide die of tuberculosis.
VPM1002 as a bridge
Even if the results of the VPM1002 test are positive, the investigation should be continued with a special corona vaccine, says Stefan Kaufmann. If the approach is successful, VPM1002 could be produced in large quantities in a short period of time, thus reducing the time until an effective COVID-19 vaccine is found. “We are not talking about millions, but ten to one hundred million doses in a short time. This is also very important because the BCG tuberculosis vaccine is very scarce and the World Health Authority is now concerned that babies in countries with TB you can’t vaccinate anymore. “
India is the main place of production. The VPM1002 vaccine was licensed by the Serum Institute of India. The company is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and has already completed production lines.
Ain new ways
The BCG tuberculosis vaccine has been tried and tested and has long ensured that tuberculosis diseases were milder than without the vaccine. Children in the eastern federal states and Eastern Europe received it. Today it is still mainly used in Africa and Asia in the fight against tuberculosis. So far, there have been quite a few cases of crown in all of these regions.
Valuable support
“When the COVID 19 crisis arose, some scientists looked directly at whether the risks of COVID in countries where BCG vaccination is mandatory are lower, that is, if fewer diseases occur than in countries without BCG vaccine, in fact, a connection was found here “says Kaufmann.
However, he was careful in interpreting these studies. “These are cross-country exams that differ in many ways. So it can’t necessarily be attributed to the fact that there was a mandatory BCG vaccine.” But it is an incentive to check that.
Scientists in Hannover are also confident. “We believe this new VMP1002 tuberculosis vaccine is a promising approach,” says Bosch. “The vaccine is said to enhance the human body’s nonspecific immune response and therefore to be effective against SARAS CoV-2 viruses, but we will. We have to wait for the results of clinical studies.” And there are not only studies in Germany or India. The investigation is running at full speed around the world, just like the virus.
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