DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia, Jan 28 (INP): Dr Iman Almansour, Assistant Professor at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), along with her team has developed the first Saudi vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Pre-clinical studies on this vaccine have been completed mid-June at the Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), an affiliate of IAU. The project is financed by the Ministry of Education.

A holder of a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology from the University of Massachusetts, Dr Almansour implemented the plasmid (p) DNA method while developing the vaccine. This method has known advantages including robust manufacturing, cost-effectiveness, a high safety profile, and thermal stability.

Unlike the mRNA method used in vaccines produced by companies like Pfizer and Moderna, which require storage at low temperatures, the (p) DNA method is thermally stable, “which is particularly beneficial during vaccine shipment and storage,” as written in the research paper published in the Pharmaceuticals journal.

The vaccine developed by Dr. Almansour and her team is based on the modification of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), “the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” This method encodes the viral spike (S) gene, which is generated using plasmid (p)DNA technology.

“The vaccine is given to the body to build protein inside cells, which stimulate the body to produce immunity specific to the S antigen,” Dr. Almansour told Arab News.

According to the team’s research paper, this vaccine would require three doses to prove efficient.

The Saudi SARS-CoV-2 pDNA vaccine is currently awaiting further approval by relevant authorities before it’s taken to the next level.

It will be a few months before this vaccine is released to the public.