La Paz Accelerates Development of COVID-19 Prevention Vaccine Using Mycobacteria

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Lapas announced on the 28th that it has signed a research contract with the Seoul National University College of Medicine research team to accelerate the development of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. The purpose of this research contract is to produce a genetically recombinant Mpg strain expressing the surface antigen protein of the COVID-19 virus and to verify the stability of its protein expression.

Through this contract, Lapas plans to conduct preclinical trials within the year to confirm the immune response formation against the COVID-19 virus. A Lapas official stated, "Through animal experiments, we confirmed that Mpg has superior antibody formation ability and activation capacity of T cells, which play a key role in human immunity, compared to the existing tuberculosis preventive vaccine BCG. Unlike BCG, Mpg does not proliferate at human body temperature, eliminating concerns about side effects," and expressed expectations that Mpg will become a strong candidate to replace the existing tuberculosis preventive vaccine (BCG).

They also said, "As research results are increasingly reported that the BCG tuberculosis vaccine strengthens the overall human immune system and reduces COVID-19 infection and mortality rates, clinical trials on humans to verify BCG's preventive effect against COVID-19 are underway in countries such as Australia. We have high expectations for the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine using Mpg, which has superior preventive effects compared to BCG, and are proceeding with its development."

Lapas is also exploring the application of genetically recombinant Mpg not only for COVID-19 but also for other diseases, considering it as a 'vaccine platform' rather than a simple infectious disease preventive vaccine. Do-hyun Jeong, CEO of Lapas, said, "In the challenging situation of developing a COVID-19 vaccine, Lapas will steadily take steps toward the goal of developing an 'infectious disease preventive vaccine platform' with more reliable efficacy and will continue its dedicated efforts."