CSIC License to C-TAP

In July 2023, under the auspices of WHO’s COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), the Medicines Patent Pool signed a worldwide license with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) for a COVID-19 vaccine consisting of a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing a full-length prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and called MVA-CoV2-S(3P) (the CSIC COVID-19 Vaccine). This is the second technology developed by CSIC and included in C-TAP.

Technology offered: Premaster virus seed for MVA-CoV2(S) and MVA-CoV2-S(3P) and derived materials, and any other materials useful for the manufacturing and/or development of the CSIC COVID-19 vaccine. 

Technology holder: Spanish National Research Council

License: Worldwide, non-exclusive and transparent /publicly available license available here

C-TAP categorization after WHO technical pre-assessment: Category II-III  

Description of the technology: The vaccine is based on the MVA vector platform - an attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector that has been engineered to express a prefusion-stabilized human codon-optimized full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. The vaccine has been evaluated in several animal models, but clinical trials have yet to begin. Pre-clinical results: 1. Promising results with the lead construct in mice; 2. Encouraging results with a related construct in hamsters and non-human primates. No apparent safety issues have been detected in preclinical evaluations so far. CSIC is currently preparing for a phase 1 clinical study.   

The aim of this C-TAP – CSIC Covid 19 Vaccine license is to promote rapid development, commercialization and equitable access to the vaccine worldwide. The agreement covers all patents, know-how and all materials useful for the development of the vaccine. This license will be royalty-free for sales and use in all low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). CSIC will provide technical support to sub-licensees in the form of plant visits and training, direct assistance on manufacture of the vaccine, and consultations. 

MVA-based vaccines can generally be produced very efficiently and at low cost per dose. There are no apparent safety issues with approved MVA-based vaccines (smallpox, Ebola) to date. Large phase 3 trials will be required to demonstrate safety and efficacy. 

C-TAP invites interested manufacturers based anywhere in the world to express their interest in obtaining a sublicence by submitting a single email to: C-TAPvaccines@medicinespatentpool.org