Written by Nicholas Vetrisek
Once again, San Diego’s world class biotech industry is leading the nation, this time in developing a coronavirus vaccine. Sorrento Therapeutics is working on multiple projects, several of which they believe can lead to viable treatments and vaccines.
Henry Ji, CEO of Sorrento Therapeutics, stated that “in the effort to more quickly resolve the global COVID-19 crisis, our company has initiated a rapidly accelerated program for the identification of potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus antigens that may be used for either treatment or prophylaxis.”
In addition to Sorrento Therapeutics, SmartPharm Therapeutics, a Boston-based firm, is expected to partner with them to create a gene-encoded antibody vaccine.
Two of Sorrento Therapeutics’ major projects are “The I-Cell Project” and “COVIDTRAP.” The I-Cell Project is a vaccine that acts as a decoy to train the immune system to attack the real thing, while COVIDTRAP is a protein that binds to virus receptors, preventing them from binding to healthy cells. If the latter proves to be successful, it can be used for treatment or as a preventative measure.
Now, the firm is currently in the process of being approved by the FDA. When asked about how long the process will take, Mark Brunswick, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Sorrento Therapeutics said it “depends on what leeway the FDA gives us.” The typical timeframe is nine months to a year, but if the process is fast-tracked, it can be as short as two months.
The skill and innovation displayed by the biotech industry in San Diego cannot be understated. Thanks to them, when the coronavirus vaccine is eventually developed, there’s a good chance that it will be from America’s Finest City.
