Behind the success of the mRNA ‘CU-Cov19’ vaccine

The spread of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) over the past year in Thailand has revealed the abilities of Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital which have contributed to how well Thailand has handled this global crisis. From the preparedness of managing spaces, doctors, nurses, and medical personnel to bringing skills, knowledge, technology, and cutting-edge innovation to help care for the people of Thailand in accordance to international standards and being careful regarding the spreading of the virus, according to the announcements of the World Health Organization (WHO). However, suppressing this evil virus and recovering so that people can continue to live a normal life, will need to wait until we can develop and use a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

For this reason, associate researchers across the globe have joined forces to rapidly develop a vaccine from various platforms, not competing to be number one, but for the stability and security of humanity. We have once again been able to witness the hard work of Chula Specialist Vaccine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University who have contributed to this global effort as they have done previously.

Prof. Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham, Chief of Chulalongkorn’s Specialist Vaccine Research Centre, as director of Chulalongkorn’s COVID-19 research project, has stated that ‘How center operates under the mission ‘Discover, develop and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines’, which beforehand we focused primarily on infectious and non-infectious diseases including HIV, Dengue, Leptospirosis, and House Dust Mite Allergies.  Additionally, we have also published over 19 research results to the public as our center works together with institutions within Chulalongkorn University such as the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, and the Faculty of Science. We have also cooperated with universities across the nation including the University of Chiang Mai and the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. Moreover, we have worked with international research networks including the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of Health (USA); Department of Adjuvant and Antigen Research, U.S., Military HIV Research Program (MHRP), and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Obviously, when a serious outbreak such as Corona Virus occurs for the duration of a year, our network was able to quickly work close together even more to the point where we were able to develop the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA ‘CU-Cov19’ successfully.”

Most recently on the 12th of July 2563BE, Chulalongkorn University via the Specialist Vaccine Research Centre, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, United States of America, have revealed the success from the testing of COVID-19 vaccine mRNA ‘Chula-Cov19’ in monkeys and are currently awaiting the green light from government sectors to test on humans (volunteers) at the end of 2563BE.

“All the monkeys that received the vaccine showed an improved immunity level and the monkeys that received higher dosages showed higher signs of improved immunity levels. We also discovered that all monkeys were in good health and showed no side effects from receiving the vaccine. These results are at a satisfactory level and the Specialist Vaccine Researching Centre is currently commissioning vaccines for human trials by volunteers as planned, from October to December 2563BE onwards. However, it still needs to be approved by the board of Human Research Ethics and the Food and Drug Administration first and it is estimated that we will be able to open applications to volunteers as early as the middle of September” Prof. Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham states.

The rapid success of the Specialist Vaccine Researching Centre, Chulalongkorn University on this occasion, helps us to reflect on the contribution of collaborating with associate researchers on a national and international level. This not only helps to reduce the duration of research, development, and extension of knowledge but also helps to awaken the people of Thailand and humanity to fight this evil virus with hope.

BY     Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University  

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• https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/pr/detail/72128
• https://www.genengnews.com/covid-19-candidates/chulalongkorn-university-center-of-excellence-in-vaccine-research-and-development-chula-vrc-national-research-council-of-thailand-nrct-and-bionet-asia/
• https://www.ryt9.com/en/prg/244595
• http://www.chulavrc.org/about.html