A new COVID-19 booster vaccine that enhances long-lasting immunity
Official title: GMP production and GLP safety of bidirectionally targeted SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine
Funded at Tendel Therapies INC. · NIH-10886107 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new COVID-19 booster vaccine designed to help your immune system create strong and long-lasting protection by focusing on special immune cells, and it's for anyone looking to enhance their defense against the virus, especially the Omicron variant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tendel Therapies INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kensington, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $571,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI179586-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886107 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk for COVID-19 and may benefit from enhanced vaccination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already received multiple COVID-19 vaccinations and have no further need for booster doses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel COVID-19 booster vaccine that targets specific immune cells called T follicular helper (Tfh) cells to create strong and lasting antibody responses. The vaccine uses a unique adjuvant that helps stimulate these immune cells, combined with a part of the virus from the Omicron variant to enhance the immune response. Preclinical studies have shown that this approach can lead to high levels of neutralizing antibodies that remain effective for over 10 months, compared to traditional vaccines that may lose effectiveness within months. The research aims to gather necessary safety and efficacy data to support future human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and long-lasting COVID-19 booster vaccine, improving protection against the virus.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar approaches targeting Tfh cells for vaccine development, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Tendel Therapies INC.
Kensington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sparger, Ellen Elizabeth — Tendel Therapies INC.
- Study coordinator: Sparger, Ellen Elizabeth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.