The race for coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guide

The race for coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guide

Eight ways in which scientists hope to provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2 .

 

More than 90 vaccines are being developed against SARS-CoV-2 by research teams in companies and universities across the world. Researchers are trialling different technologies, some of which haven’t been used in a licensed vaccine before. At least six groups have already begun injecting formulations into volunteers in safety trials; others have started testing in animals. Nature’s graphical guide explains each vaccine design.

 

 

Industry trials

More than 70% of the groups leading vaccine research efforts are from industrial or private firms. Clinical trials start with small safety studies in animals and people, followed by much larger trials to determine whether a vaccine generates an immune response. Researchers are accelerating these steps and hope to have a vaccine ready in 18 months.

 

 

 

Fig. 2 | Profile of COVID-19 vaccine developers by type and geographic location. For partnerships, the location is that of the lead developer. *Excluding China.

Fig. 1 | Pipeline of COVID-19 vaccine candidates by technology platform. Exploratory projects (split into confirmed and unconfirmed) are in the early planning stage with no in-vivo testing, and preclinical projects are at the stage of in-vivo testing and/or manufacturing clinical trials material.