Prevent-nCoV · Project

Plug-and-Play Virus-Like Particle Platform for Rapid Scalable Vaccine Manufacturing

healthTestedTRL 6

cmp.ku.dk

Imagine building a vaccine like snapping Lego bricks together — one piece is a harmless shell that looks like a virus, and the other is the bit that trains your immune system. This project built a two-component system where you grow the shell cheaply in bacteria, grow the target piece separately, then just mix them and they lock together automatically. The platform was tested against COVID-19 using the spike protein, taken through safety trials in humans, and designed so production could be handed off to a contract manufacturer at industrial scale.

By the numbers

EUR 2,728,340

EU funding for platform development and clinical testing

>1g/L

VLP production yield in E. coli fermentation

Consortium partners across 3 countries

SME partners validating commercial pathway

Phase I/IIa

Clinical trial stage completed at Radboud UMC

The business problem

What needed solving

Developing new vaccines is slow, expensive, and each new pathogen typically requires rebuilding the production process from scratch. Companies need a modular platform that lets them swap in new disease targets without redesigning the entire manufacturing line. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how critical rapid, scalable vaccine production is — and most existing platforms cannot be quickly repurposed.

The solution

What was built

A two-component VLP vaccine platform where a generic virus-like particle shell (produced in E. coli at over 1g/L) self-assembles with interchangeable disease antigens on simple mixing. The COVID-19 version using the spike protein was taken through GMP manufacturing transfer to AGC Biologics and a Phase I/IIa human clinical trial.

Audience

Who needs this

CDMOs seeking new vaccine platform technologies for their production portfolioBiotech companies building pandemic preparedness pipelinesVeterinary vaccine manufacturers needing low-cost modular platformsPharmaceutical companies looking to license plug-and-play antigen display systemsGovernment health agencies investing in rapid-response vaccine infrastructure

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Contract vaccine manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) producing biologics

If you are a CDMO looking to expand your vaccine production portfolio — this project developed a two-component VLP platform where the particle shell is produced in E. coli at over 1g/L yields, and the antigen is produced separately and self-assembles on mixing. The system was transferred to AGC Biologics for GMP manufacture, demonstrating real handoff to industrial production. With 9 consortium partners across 3 countries validating the process, this is a proven production-ready platform.

Pharmaceutical R&D

mid-size

Target: Biotech companies developing vaccines for emerging infectious diseases

If you are a biotech firm racing to respond to new pathogen threats — this project proved a modular vaccine approach where you keep the VLP shell constant and swap in new antigens as threats emerge. Pre-clinical studies showed effectiveness across flu and malaria before pivoting to SARS-CoV-2, and the Phase I/IIa clinical trial at Radboud University Medical Center tested safety in humans. The EUR 2,728,340 EU-funded program delivered a complete development pathway from antigen design through clinical testing.

Animal health and veterinary vaccines

SME

Target: Veterinary pharmaceutical companies needing cost-effective vaccine platforms

If you are a veterinary vaccine company dealing with thin margins and the need for rapid pathogen response — this project's VLP technology uses E. coli fermentation producing over 1g/L of vaccine shell, one of the cheapest production systems available in biologics. The two-component design means you can adapt to new animal diseases by changing only the antigen component while keeping your manufacturing line for the VLP constant. Two SME partners in the 9-member consortium validated the commercial viability of this approach.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this VLP platform technology?

The core VLP display technology belongs to AdaptVac, one of the 2 industry partners in the consortium. Licensing terms are not disclosed in the project data. Contact the coordinator at Kobenhavns Universitet or AdaptVac directly for commercial terms and licensing availability.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

Yes — the VLP shell is produced in E. coli at over 1g/L yields, which is exceptionally high for a biological product and suitable for large-scale fermentation. The project specifically included GMP manufacturing transfer to AGC Biologics, a major contract manufacturer, demonstrating industrial-scale readiness.

Who owns the intellectual property?

The VLP display technology is AdaptVac's proprietary platform. ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies contributed the Drosophila S2 insect cell expression system for antigen production. IP arrangements among the 9 consortium partners across Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands would be governed by the Horizon 2020 grant agreement. Specific licensing inquiries should go to AdaptVac.

Has this been tested in humans?

The project included a Phase I/IIa clinical study conducted at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands. This tested safety in human participants and measured immune response through viral neutralization assays. The project closed in June 2022, indicating the trial program was completed.

How does this compare to mRNA vaccine platforms?

Based on available project data, the VLP approach uses E. coli and insect cell production rather than lipid nanoparticle encapsulation required for mRNA. The over 1g/L production yields in E. coli suggest potentially lower manufacturing costs. The two-component mix-and-assemble approach may offer simpler logistics than cold-chain-dependent mRNA vaccines.

What regulatory pathway has been followed?

The project conducted a Phase I/IIa clinical trial, which means regulatory approval was obtained from the Dutch competent authority to test in humans. GMP manufacturing was established through AGC Biologics. Further regulatory progression beyond Phase I/IIa would require additional clinical trials and investment.

Consortium

Who built it

The 9-partner consortium spans 3 countries (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands) with a practical mix of 6 universities providing deep scientific expertise, 2 industry players (including 2 SMEs) handling commercial translation, and 1 research organization. AdaptVac brings the core VLP technology while ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies contributes the insect cell production system — both are SMEs with skin in the game. The 22% industry ratio is modest but meaningful: the project relied on AGC Biologics (external) for GMP manufacturing, extending the real commercial network beyond the formal consortium. Kobenhavns Universitet coordinated from Denmark, with clinical trials run at Radboud UMC in the Netherlands — a strong regulatory jurisdiction for vaccine trials.

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITETCoordinator · DK
ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS LEIDENparticipant · NL
EXPRES2ION BIOTECHNOLOGIES APSparticipant · DK
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEITparticipant · NL
UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM TUEBINGENthirdparty · DE
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUMparticipant · NL
WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITYparticipant · NL
EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITAET TUEBINGENparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

Kobenhavns Universitet, Denmark — reach out through SciTransfer for a facilitated introduction to the research team and AdaptVac

Order a report on this consortium See KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing the VLP platform for your vaccine pipeline? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the technology developers and help you evaluate the commercial fit.

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