# SARS-CoV-2 conjugate vaccine elicits robust immune responses that can protect against evolving variants

## TL;DR

A new SARS-CoV-2 conjugate vaccine with TLR agonists induces strong, long-lasting immunity against multiple virus variants in animal models.

## Contribution

A novel conjugate vaccine platform using protein conjugation and TLR agonists achieves broad cross-protection against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.

## Key findings

- Beta-only conjugate vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies effective against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- Bivalent conjugate vaccines protected hamsters from viral challenge.
- The platform shows potential for long-term protection without requiring antigen updates.

## Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitated effective vaccines that can endure antigenic mutations. Here we demonstrate highly immunogenic conjugate vaccines that elicit broad cross-neutralization to variants of concern (VOC) in animal studies. By utilizing protein-protein conjugation and Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonist adjuvants we achieve enhanced immunogenicity compared to unconjugated equivalents. These vaccine candidates induced broad cross-protection against several VOC, a characteristic lacking in early COVID-19 vaccines. Murine neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers from animals vaccinated with Beta-only conjugates were equivalent between Beta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/BA.5 variants, which were circulating up to three years after the antigenic Beta strain. Additionally, Beta-Delta bivalent conjugate vaccines readily prevented disease in hamster challenge. Together this demonstrates a vaccine with remarkably broad cross-protection and potential to protect for extended periods despite mutations, without requiring modified boosters or antigen adaption. These techniques can be applied to more recent SARS-CoV-2 strains, and other viruses, highlighting the benefits of protein-protein conjugation coupled with TLR agonist secondary adjuvants.

•SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugated to CRM-197 with TLR agonist adjuvants leads to high IgG and nAb.•Beta-Only conjugates with TLR agonists induced broadly cross-reactive nAb in mice.•Beta-only conjugate led to neutralization of variants that emerged 3 years after antigenic strain.•Bivalent conjugate vaccines effectively protect hamsters from viral challenge.•Protein conjugate platform applicable to any disease requiring enhanced immunogenicity.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugated to CRM-197 with TLR agonist adjuvants leads to high IgG and nAb.

Beta-Only conjugates with TLR agonists induced broadly cross-reactive nAb in mice.

Beta-only conjugate led to neutralization of variants that emerged 3 years after antigenic strain.

Bivalent conjugate vaccines effectively protect hamsters from viral challenge.

Protein conjugate platform applicable to any disease requiring enhanced immunogenicity.