Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, BBV152 in rhesus macaques

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that poses great challenge to the public system of affected countries. Safe and effective vaccines are needed overcome this crisis. Here, we develop assess protective efficacy immunogenicity an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in rhesus macaques. Twenty macaques were divided into four groups five animals each. One group was administered placebo, while three immunized with different candidates BBV152 at 0 14 days. All challenged fourteen days after second dose. response observed increasing specific IgG neutralizing antibody titers from 3 rd -week post-immunization. Viral clearance bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal swab, throat swab lung tissues 7 post-infection vaccinated groups. No evidence pneumonia by histopathological examination groups, unlike placebo which exhibited interstitial localization viral antigen alveolar epithelium macrophages immunohistochemistry. This candidate has completed Phase I/II (NCT04471519) clinical trials India presently phase III, data study substantiates candidates.