NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Creating a vaccine to protect against all COVID-19 variants

Official title: Development of a Pan-COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Funded at RNA Therapeutics INC. · NIH-10819607 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new COVID-19 vaccine that hopes to protect against different strains of the virus, including new ones, using a special technology that has been successful before, and it's designed to help your body build a strong defense against future infections.

More COVID-19 research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRNA Therapeutics INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project startMarch 13, 2024
Project endFebruary 28, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$299,967
NIH project number1R41AI181134-01
Project IDNIH-10819607 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of COVID-19 infection, including those with underlying health conditions or those in high-exposure environments.

Less likely to help

Patients who are already fully vaccinated with existing COVID-19 vaccines may not receive additional benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a pan-COVID-19 vaccine that aims to provide broad protection against various strains of the virus, including emerging variants. The approach utilizes mRNA technology, which has shown promise in previous vaccine developments. The vaccine candidate expresses a conserved protein from the virus, which has demonstrated strong immune responses in animal studies. By targeting a more stable part of the virus, the goal is to enhance immunity and reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective vaccine that protects against multiple COVID-19 variants, potentially reducing hospitalizations and deaths.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with mRNA vaccine technology, particularly in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, indicating a promising avenue for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • RNA Therapeutics INC.
    Newark, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hu, Haitao — RNA Therapeutics INC.
  • Study coordinator: Hu, Haitao

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.