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First-ever AI-designed vaccine reaches human trials
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Health & Science

First-ever AI-designed vaccine reaches human trials

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • An AI-designed vaccine, aiming to protect against entire virus families and future pandemics, has entered human trials for the first time.
  • This experimental vaccine targets a "super-antigen" to train the immune system against mutating viruses, potentially eliminating the need for regular vaccine updates.
  • Initial safety trials on 39 participants were successful, with larger efficacy studies planned, though early results on immune system impact were described as "modest."

A groundbreaking vaccine, conceived entirely by artificial intelligence, has been administered to human participants for the first time, marking a potential turning point in the global fight against future pandemics. Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, this innovative approach aims to confer immunity against a wide spectrum of viruses, including all known coronaviruses, rather than focusing on a single, currently circulating strain.

We’re always behind. What we’re trying to do is get ahead of the curve.

— Professor Jonathan HeeneyExplaining the motivation behind developing a vaccine that can preemptively counter viral threats.

Traditional vaccine development often lags behind rapidly mutating viruses, necessitating frequent updates for vaccines like those for flu and COVID-19. Professor Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge highlighted this challenge, stating, "We're always behind." His team's goal is to preemptively counter viral threats. The AI system analyzed genetic codes from documented coronaviruses to design a "super-antigen," a critical vaccine component that primes the immune system to recognize and combat viral invaders.

This AI-driven super-antigen is designed to protect against the entire virus family, offering resilience even as viruses mutate or new infections emerge from animal populations. "This is about making vaccines that protect us, not just from today's viruses, but protect us from what can cause the next outbreak or disease," Heeney explained. He described the technology as a "fundamental shift in how we prepare for pandemics."

This is about making vaccines that protect us, not just from today’s viruses, but protect us from what can cause the next outbreak or disease. This is a fundamental shift in how we prepare for pandemics.

— Professor Jonathan HeeneyDescribing the broader implications and goals of the AI-designed vaccine.

Initial safety trials involving 39 participants yielded positive results. A subsequent study with approximately 200 individuals will evaluate the vaccine's efficacy in stimulating the immune system. While findings published in the Journal of Infection noted a "modest" impact on the immune system, the potential of this AI-driven technology continues to generate significant excitement among experts. Professor Saul Faust of the University of Southampton, involved in the trial work, called the approach "really exciting" and noted its superior capability in designing vaccines for potential pandemics amidst viral evolution.

What’s really interesting is the technology is an awful lot better at designing vaccines for potential pandemics when viruses are changing.

— Prof Saul FaustCommenting on the effectiveness of the AI-driven approach in adapting to evolving viruses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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