A team of British researchers at the universities of Cambridge and Southampton has developed the first vaccine designed entirely by artificial intelligence to be tested in humans.
The vaccine targets the core problem of traditional vaccines: they are reactive, not proactive. As viruses such as Influenza, Coronaviruses, and Ebola mutate, conventional vaccines quickly become outdated.
“We’ve converted vaccine development from being reactive to being future proof,” said professor Jonathan Heeney from the University of Cambridge, the scientific lead. “It means we can escape the constant cycle of chasing the virus variants.”
To create the vaccine, researchers used AI to design a “super-antigen” - a computer-generated protein that mimics features shared across multiple coronaviruses. Machine learning analyzed genetic data from Sarbeco coronaviruses, which circulate in bats and can jump to humans.
The vaccine is administered without a needle via a microfluidic jet that propels the antigen into the skin. This method reduces waste, improves thermostability, and eliminates the need for ultra-cold storage.
Between December 2021 and September 2023, 39 volunteers received the vaccine. It was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns. A phase 2 trial will now test its ability to induce broad immunity in a larger, more diverse population.