I'm the founder of PopVax -- here's some context on this vaccine:
PVX-001 is a broadly-protective COVID-19 vaccine candidate intended to protect against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 even as the virus mutates. It is built on our RNA-encoded virus-like particle (VLP) architecture to elicit a broad & potent immune response.
Our lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation, based on our own novel ionizable lipid PVXL-150, keeps the vaccine stable at 2-8 °C, regular refrigerator temperatures, for at least 9 months, rather than the -20 or -80 °C required by the first-generation mRNA vaccines approved for COVID-19. This will make it far easier to distribute the vaccine in developing countries.
The vaccine was largely funded by Vitalik Buterin's scientific investment fund Balvi -- in collaboration with them, we've made a commitment to making this vaccine open-source. Once the Phase I trial of PVX-001 concludes, we will open-source the design and manufacturing information needed for others to produce and build on it, and we will not enforce our intellectual property rights against anyone who uses it to make vaccines against any betacoronavirus -- the viral genus that includes SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
We are doing this because SARS-CoV-2 and its close cousins remain a substantial pandemic risk. In just the past few decades, they have caused one major epidemic (SARS), one close call (MERS), and one global pandemic that killed millions. The designs developed after the original SARS outbreak gave the first generation of COVID-19 vaccines a crucial head start in 2020. We want humanity to have an even better head start next time: a broadly-protective, refrigerator-stable vaccine that any scientist, vaccine producer, or member of the public, located anywhere, can improve, adapt to their needs, and manufacture without having to worry about IP.
Am I wrong in saying that along with new peptides, mRNA tech has the potential to dramatically upend healthcare as we know it. What else can you do with it or is it just for vaccines you think?
Thank you! Australia is very fast -- they have a decentralized system of institutional and private ethics committees to approve trials, rather than the regulator deciding centrally, though the regulator retains the right to halt any trial at any time. They also have a generous tax credit for startups doing R&D there.
I've written about the Australian clinical trial system and the reforms I think India needs to accelerate our slow and archaic framework twice recently:
"Once the Phase I trial of PVX-001 concludes, we will open-source the design and manufacturing information needed for others to produce and build on it, and we will not enforce our intellectual property rights against anyone who uses it to make vaccines against any betacoronavirus [...]"
The headline seems slightly inaccurate. A pledge of later going open-source isn't the same as open-source. Sure, "marketing".
They kind of did the opposite. Started off open source until they had gotten what they needed from the goodwill of the open source community, then made it closed source to make sure they wouldn't have to return any of that goodwill
I'm the founder of PopVax -- here's some context on this vaccine:
PVX-001 is a broadly-protective COVID-19 vaccine candidate intended to protect against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 even as the virus mutates. It is built on our RNA-encoded virus-like particle (VLP) architecture to elicit a broad & potent immune response.
Our lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation, based on our own novel ionizable lipid PVXL-150, keeps the vaccine stable at 2-8 °C, regular refrigerator temperatures, for at least 9 months, rather than the -20 or -80 °C required by the first-generation mRNA vaccines approved for COVID-19. This will make it far easier to distribute the vaccine in developing countries.
The vaccine was largely funded by Vitalik Buterin's scientific investment fund Balvi -- in collaboration with them, we've made a commitment to making this vaccine open-source. Once the Phase I trial of PVX-001 concludes, we will open-source the design and manufacturing information needed for others to produce and build on it, and we will not enforce our intellectual property rights against anyone who uses it to make vaccines against any betacoronavirus -- the viral genus that includes SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
We are doing this because SARS-CoV-2 and its close cousins remain a substantial pandemic risk. In just the past few decades, they have caused one major epidemic (SARS), one close call (MERS), and one global pandemic that killed millions. The designs developed after the original SARS outbreak gave the first generation of COVID-19 vaccines a crucial head start in 2020. We want humanity to have an even better head start next time: a broadly-protective, refrigerator-stable vaccine that any scientist, vaccine producer, or member of the public, located anywhere, can improve, adapt to their needs, and manufacture without having to worry about IP.
Question from a novice: does the broad protection offered by your vaccine imply that there would be less need for yearly boosters?
Congratulations and thank you
What are the best other possible uses for LNP
Am I wrong in saying that along with new peptides, mRNA tech has the potential to dramatically upend healthcare as we know it. What else can you do with it or is it just for vaccines you think?
Congratulations to the team! A production ready lipid micelle with reliable human cellular uptake is non trivials. Kudos from the biotech community :)
Well written blog post, very inspiring what you're doing. Thank you!
Congrats! I understand that you tried with the US first and was forced to rethink. Why Australia?
Thank you! Australia is very fast -- they have a decentralized system of institutional and private ethics committees to approve trials, rather than the regulator deciding centrally, though the regulator retains the right to halt any trial at any time. They also have a generous tax credit for startups doing R&D there.
I've written about the Australian clinical trial system and the reforms I think India needs to accelerate our slow and archaic framework twice recently:
1) https://www.infinitesunrise.com/p/we-must-accelerate-clinica...
2) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/a...
What does it even mean for a vaccine to be open-source?
As per the founder in the thread:
"Once the Phase I trial of PVX-001 concludes, we will open-source the design and manufacturing information needed for others to produce and build on it, and we will not enforce our intellectual property rights against anyone who uses it to make vaccines against any betacoronavirus [...]"
The headline seems slightly inaccurate. A pledge of later going open-source isn't the same as open-source. Sure, "marketing".
Hey, it worked for OpenAI!
They kind of did the opposite. Started off open source until they had gotten what they needed from the goodwill of the open source community, then made it closed source to make sure they wouldn't have to return any of that goodwill
Guess my sarcasm wasn't heavy enough...
I assume it's not patented or copyrighted?
But that's not what the word "open-source" means
This is fantastic and would be brilliant as a guide to how medicine needs to be.
btw there are still 600 deaths per month from covid in the US
every month, even in 2026
remember that when you hear 6 deaths from measles in all of 2026
both preventable tragedies
and millions suffering long-covid maybe for remainder of miserable lives