Gurugram-based Premas Biotech has announced that Oravax Medical Inc., a US based company that Premas Biotech is a partner in, has received clearance from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to commence patient enrollment in a first in human, Phase 1 clinical trial, for its oral COVID-19 vaccine; and preparations to begin the trials are now underway.

Oravax Medical Inc. is a joint venture between Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Premas Biotech. Oravax brings together a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology, developed by Premas Biotech with Oramed’s proprietary protein oral delivery (POD™) technology in the development of oral vaccines.

Premas’ virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine technology, based on its D-Crypt^TM platform, targets three SARS CoV-2 virus surface proteins, including proteins less susceptible to mutation, thus making the vaccine potentially more effective against current and future variants of the COVID19 virus. Premas’ VLP vaccine technology is highly scalable and easily transferable.

The oral VLP COVID-19 vaccine is being developed for use both as a standalone vaccine as well as a booster for people who have been previously vaccinated for COVID-19.