Vaccine to block viral protein vital for infection: Protein S

Type of project

Vaccine development

Brief summary and objectives

The project will test a strategy to block a viral protein vital for infection: Protein S. Protein S of SARS-CoV-2 is the main external viral protein and allows the virus to enter target cells by binding to ACE2 Protein on the outside of the cells.

The therapeutic strategy is based on the use of proteins derived from Human ACE2 Protein combined with antibodies. These proteins bind to Protein S and the viral particles, capturing them and avoiding infection. This type of therapy has the advantage that it can be useful against different coronaviruses, making it a potential weapon against future outbreaks.

Project leader

Julià Blanco, IrisiCaixa, AIDS Research Institute and IGTP

Funding bodies

The Ministry of Health and the Director General  Research and Innovation for the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia through the Agència de Qualitat i Avaluació Sanitàries de Catalunya (AQUAS).

Associated News

Two projects at the IGTP and IDIAP Jordi Gol research centres focus on the immune response of health professionals to infection with SARS-CoV-2