BC-PIV, an innovative non-transmissible viral vector co-developed by BioComo and Mie University, is derived from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2). BC-PIV, an intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, induced high levels of neutralizing IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies against the spike protein, completely protected the lungs and virtually complete protection of the nasal turbinates against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in hamsters. The intranasal BC-PIV vaccine can be a promising vaccine candidate to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection/transmission.

Mie University and BioComo has published this latest findings on 17^th Nov 2021 on the U.S. scientific journal, iScience. The exciting results shown in the animal model indicate the possibility of generating an effective coronavirus nasal vaccine, to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection/transmission, a key differentiator to existing approved vaccines. BC-PIV can be used as booster inoculation to address the waning immunity with in-market vaccines^[1]. The inhibition assays in the research were carried out for the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 RBD and hACE2 by using the ELISA method from SARS-CoV-2 surrogate neutralization (cPass™ kit) tests (GenScript)^[1]. Currently global competition for nasal spray vaccines is intense to use as the "next-generation vaccine."  In the near future, Mie University and Biocomo will enter the next stage investigation to confirm quality and safety, thereafter, Phase I/II clinical trials within one year.

Neutralizing antibodies is one of the key biomarker to determine vaccine efficacy. cPass™ sVNT kit is able to detect functional neutralizing antibodies in vaccinated and post COVID-19 infected individuals without using the traditional laborious, time consuming and complex laboratory procedures. The kit can be performed in most standard laboratories with a short turnaround time (~1hr). It is also adaptable to high throughput and fully automated testing. This makes cPass™ sVNT kit the ideal tool for evaluating vaccine efficacy in high throughput setting. GenScript's cPass™ sVNT Kit is the first commercially available SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Kit and has received provisional authorization by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Singapore, CE-IVD marking in Europe and emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Masayuki Fukumura, President of BioComo, Inc., commented, "We are very pleased to have a chance to collaborate with GenScript to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. Our mission is to incubate the technology and the products of the next generation vaccine for the treatment or prevention of infections to help the innovation for people to live longer and healthier. Together with GenScript, we strive to develop the novel intranasal SARS-CoV-2 corona vaccine and make every effort to deliver this vaccine to everyone as promptly as possible. 

"We are delighted to collaborate with BioComo to accelerate the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. GenScript is dedicated to provide different cutting-edge products and apply proprietary technology in various fields to accelerate global research and development efforts. With BioComo's extensive experiences and proven track records of vaccines development and clinical studies, our partnership will allow us to work with clients' world-class experts and leverage our integrated services in life sciences research. We hope that the BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will be successful and bring benefits to the public soon," said Johnson Wang, President in Asia Pacific Region at GenScript.