Canada Approves First Plant-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Developed in Canada

Strategic Insights -

Canada has taken a significant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with the approval of a new vaccine developed by Medicago, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Quebec City, in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The vaccine, COVIFENZ, is a plant-based virus-like particles (VLP) vaccine that has been approved for use in individuals aged 18-64 years. This approval is a major milestone in Canada's biomanufacturing sector, which has faced a 40-year decline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The vaccine, COVIFENZ, is a plant-based VLP vaccine developed by Medicago and GSK, using Coronavirus-Like Particle (CoVLP) technology.
  • The vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 18-64 years of age.
  • The vaccination regimen requires two doses, given intramuscularly 21 days apart, with a dose size of 3.75 micrograms of CoVLP antigen in combination with GSK's pandemic adjuvant.
  • The vaccine is stored at 2 °C to 8 °C and will be manufactured in Canada and in North Carolina, US.
  • The Government of Canada has a contract with Medicago to supply the COVID-19 vaccine, with the company committed to fulfilling the order as soon as possible.
  • The approval of COVIFENZ is a significant milestone for Canada's biomanufacturing sector, which has faced a 40-year decline, and marks a major achievement for Medicago and GSK in the fight against the pandemic.
  • Medicago's CEO, Takashi Nagao, has expressed appreciation for Health Canada's timely review and support from the Government of Canada in the development of the vaccine.

Statistics:

  • 500: The number of scientific experts and employees at Medicago who are dedicated to using the company's technology to provide rapid responses to emerging global health challenges and advancing therapeutics against life-threatening diseases.
  • 40 years: The duration of the decline faced by Canada's biomanufacturing sector.
  • 2019: The year Medicago was founded, with the goal of improving global public health using the power of plants.
  • 2-8°C: The storage temperature for the COVIFENZ vaccine.
  • 18-64 years: The age range for individuals eligible for the COVIFENZ vaccine.

Sources:

  • GlaxoSmithKline plc. News Release. "Health Canada Approves COVIFENZ, a Plant-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Developed by Medicago and GSK." February 24.
  • Medicago. About Medicago. www.medicago.com.
  • Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. About MTPC Group. https://www.mt-pharma.co.jp/e/.
  • GSK. About GSK. http://www.gsk.ca/about-us.