Abstract: .One of the strategies towards an effective HIV-1 vaccine is to elicit broadly neutralizing antibody responses that target the high HIV-1 Env diversity. Here, we present an HIV-1 vaccine candidate that consists of cobalt porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP) liposomes decorated with repaired and stabilized clade C HIV-1 Env trimers in a prefusion conformation. These particles exhibit high HIV-1 Env trimer decoration, serum stability and bind broadly neutralizing antibodies. Three sequential immunizations of female rabbits with CoPoP liposomes displaying a different clade C HIV-1 gp140 trimer at each dosing generate high HIV-1 Env-specific antibody responses. Additionally, serum neutralization is detectable against 18 of 20 multiclade tier 2 HIV-1 strains. Furthermore, the peak antibody titers induced by CoPoP liposomes can be recalled by subsequent heterologous immunization with Ad26-encoded membrane-bound stabilized Env antigens. Hence, a CoPoP liposome-based HIV-1 vaccine that can generate cross-clade neutralizing antibody immunity could potentially be a component of an efficacious HIV-1 vaccine.

POP Biotechnologies (POP BIO), a Buffalo, NY based biopharmaceutical startup, announces the approval of the plan for a phase 3 clinical study of EuCorVac-19, a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by South Korean partner EuBiologics (KOSDAQ: 206650, CEO, Dr. Baik YoungOk, Mr. Seukkeun Choi) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea. EuCorVac-19, is a protein-based vaccine consisting of Eubiologics protein antigen, EulMT, in-licensed from Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the spontaneous-nanoliposome antigen particle (SNAP) technology of POP BIO.