UL -Lafayette played a significant role in the testing and protocols for the Pfizer COVID vaccine. The New Iberia Research Center provided valuable data allowing the vaccine clinical trials to progress humans much quicker. NIRC Director of Contract Research Jane Fontenot said it was their primates that assisted.
“And before you go into the first human, in clinical trials, that data has to be generated. Those nonhuman primates gave that data to be comfortable that yes the vaccine did induce an antibody response,” said Fontenot.
Director of Research at NIRC Dr. Francois Villinger said their previous work with vaccines enabled the trial to know the proper intervals to test for COVID antibodies from the vaccine.
“They certainly have the same type of immune system as humans, and that’s where they’re critical because you can really figure out what type of immune response you have that you can test in the laboratory,” said Villinger.
Fontenot said their primates also provided data on when booster shots should be conducted.
“You measure the antibody response and the duration of the antibodies and that helps them to decide if one vaccine enough or do you need to have two administrations of the vaccine,” said Fontenot.
NIRC is currently involved in eight vaccine and therapeutic drug studies related to COVID-19 in addition to the Pfizer vaccine.
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