Strategies for the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in the post-pandemic period

Abstract

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in significant casualties and put immense strain on public health systems worldwide, leading to economic recession and social unrest. In response, various prevention and control strategies have been implemented globally, including vaccine and drug development and the promotion of preventive measures. Implementing these strategies has effectively curbed the transmission of the virus, reduced infection rates, and gradually restored normal social and economic activities. However, the mutations of SARS-CoV-2 have led to inevitable infections and reinfections, and the number of deaths continues to rise. Therefore, there is still a need to improve existing prevention and control strategies, mainly focusing on developing novel vaccines and drugs, expediting medical authorization processes, and keeping epidemic surveillance. These measures are crucial to combat the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and achieve sustained, long-term prevention, management, and disease control. Here, we summarized the characteristics of existing COVID-19 vaccines and drugs and suggested potential future directions for their development. Furthermore, we discussed the COVID-19-related policies implemented over the past years and presented some strategies for the future.

Clinical and prognostic implications of hyaluronic acid in patients with COVID-19 reinfection and first infection

“…Although various prevention and control strategies have been implemented worldwide, including the development of vaccines and drugs and the promotion of preventive measures, the mutations of SARS-CoV-2 have inevitably led to infection and reinfection, and the death toll continues to rise (Ao et al, 2023;Cohen and Pulliam, 2023). Ongoing transmission of COVID-19 places a heavy burden on the healthcare systems in the post-pandemic era.…”

SARS-CoV-2: pathogenesis, therapeutics, variants, and vaccines

“…It has shown promising efficacy and safety in Phase I/II/III clinical trials, but further studies are needed to evaluate its carcinogenic risks and genotoxicity ( Hadj Hassine et al, 2022 ; Wen et al, 2022 ). Nanomaterials can be designed and manipulated to selectively target specific cells, reducing drug toxicity ( Ao et al, 2023 ).…”

A dual-targeting approach using a human bispecific antibody against the receptor-binding domain of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

“…Consequently, antibodies targeting distinct and non-overlapping epitopes have been combined into cocktails to mitigate the risk of viral escape through mutations and broaden the neutralizing coverage ( Copin et al, 2021 ; Rouet et al, 2023 ). Currently, several antibody cocktail therapies against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and received emergency use approval ( Ao et al, 2023 ). However, despite the expanded coverage, the antibody cocktail approach entails increased manufacturing costs and requires high-dose infusions in patients ( Tuccori et al, 2020 ).…”