Finland Researchers Focus on Nasal COVID Vaccine Candidate

Finland-based Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd. announced it is working to introduce a nasal spray vaccine against COVID. The vaccine candidate uses gene transfer technology developed at the University of Eastern Finland by Academy Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala's research group.

The vaccine uses a safe adenovirus carrier that contains a cloned DNA strand, which causes nasopharyngeal cells to produce the virus protein, which, in turn, produces a response to the vaccine. There is no actual SARS-CoV-2 virus in the vaccine.

"Even if we were able to vaccinate the entire population, at least people in medical risk groups will still need new vaccines against new variants in the upcoming years," stated Professor of Virology Kalle Saksela from the University of Helsinki.

According to a press statement issued on March 8, 2021, the technology has already been successfully used in several clinical trials using gene therapy to treat cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Preliminary results show that the vaccine has performed well in animal studies, and clinical testing in humans will start within a few months.

Nasal delivery was chosen as the new vaccine's method of administration because the virus is also naturally transmitted through the airways.

"Vaccines injected intramuscularly produce IgG antibodies in the bloodstream, but nasal vaccines also produce an IgA response that protects mucous membranes. We assume that this can also prevent those who have received the vaccine from transmitting the virus," commented Academy Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala from the University of Eastern Finland.

The University of Eastern Finland is an international, participatory, and inclusive scientific community.