COVID-19 vaccine: Lallemand joins forces to develop live bacteria treatment

12 May 2020 --- The Lallemand group is partnering with Canadian companies Biotechnologies Ulysse and Bio-K Plus to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine could contain live bacteria and yeast that have the same properties as the virus, but without the contagious load of COVID-19. Biotechnologies Ulysse is working on a proof of concept, hoping to start testing the vaccine in animals within four to six weeks, and to have obtained the first preclinical results in around four to five months.

“The probiotics sector has its place in the pursuit of the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Dr. Mathieu Millette, Scientific Director at biotech company Bio-K Plus International. “Using live bacteria as a vaccine vector is an idea that has been around for 20 years and is increasingly  studied. These kinds of vaccines are already in use in animals [in general]. In humans, there is no precedent yet, so it’s really very innovative,” he adds.

The vaccine would potentially be taken orally or by nasal spray and would trigger an immune reaction in the form of developing antibodies, according to Yves Hurtubise, President and Researcher at Biotechnologies Ulysse, and also a doctor of biotechnology and applied microbiology. 

He explains that the surface of microorganisms similar to probiotics can be lined with a very small, highly immunogenic protein part of the virus. Once in the mouth and in the digestive system the receptors specific to this protein found in the body will hopefully react positively. 

“Essentially, the idea is to make our body believe that it is being attacked by the virus and that it must defend itself. It will then begin to produce antibodies against the virus without having been in contact with it. This concept is a lure which, if it works, will be incredibly beneficial,” adds Hurtubise. 

He adds that in an ideal world, this research could lead to a scenario where a person only needs to take two pills a week apart, avoiding a large-scale vaccination campaign. Additionally, the microorganisms are easy to produce in large quantities, with production taking only a few days. 

Lallemand offers experience in yeasts and molecular biology
Lallemand states that it is supportive of the strategy presented by Biotechnologies Ulysse. “Technologically-speaking, this idea is interesting, creative and feasible, as mass production would be ultimately necessary. Unity is key. With the sum of expert skills, there is hope to find a COVID-19 vaccine,” it notes. 

A Lallemand spokesperson tells NutritionInsight that if the oral vaccine is found to be efficient, it will be necessary to have an extensive R&D and production capacity of microorganisms, which are chosen as a vaccine vector. “We have several large volume production plants around the world and experience in the development and industrial production of yeasts and molecular biology, which would be a relevant asset,” they state.

However, according to Lallemand, the partners will likely need to rely on the expertise of a large pharmaceutical group for driving the clinical trials once the proof of concept is confirmed in animal models.

The financial details of the agreement have not been revealed, but the project is also being carried out in collaboration with several partners, including the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal, the National Institute of Public Health in Quebec, Simon Barnabé at UQTR and Trans Biotech in Lévis. 

In addition, Innovation and Economic Development Trois-Rivières awarded the project a CA$20,000 (US$14,000) grant from its special fund for COVID-19. Hurtubise and his partners are awaiting responses regarding requests for government funding from various organizations to cover the costs of developing the vaccine.

According to Lallemand, the partners will likely need to rely on the expertise of a large pharmaceutical group for driving the clinical trials.Building on probiotics research
This collaboration is not the first time that avenues in gut health have been explored in relation to COVID-19. Late last month, Biosearch Life announced a clinical trial measuring the effectiveness of its Hereditum Immunactiv K8 product in reducing the incidence or severity of COVID-19 infection. This comes as many movers in the gut space are also revisiting previous trials examining the effects of probiotics on various respiratory infections. 

At the time, Lucie Lingrand, Product Manager of Marketing and Communication at Lallemand Health Solutions, told NutritionInsight that specific probiotic strains and strain combinations documented for their beneficial immune effects could help prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) by boosting a lowered immune response in physically active people. This group may be prone to weakened immune systems due to induced stress. 

As part of Vitafoods Digital Week, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients is also presenting an infographic illustrating how LalDéfense yeast beta-glucan can support respiratory health. The virtual event commenced yesterday, with NutritionInsight speaking to industry players from the virtual floor to see how they will make use of this unprecedented opportunity to communicate their brands’ developments with both established and prospective customers.

To keep readers informed of these rapid developments, NutritionInsight is updating its daily news feed for the coronavirus-related information and insights you need to guide your business through this challenging period.

By Katherine Durrell

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