Artificial intelligence helps scientists create a next-generation vaccine targeting multiple coronavirus strains, including SARS and COVID-19 virus, but experts say larger trials are needed

In a major breakthrough that could transform the future of vaccine development, scientists have successfully tested the world’s first vaccine designed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) in humans. Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, the experimental vaccine aims to provide broader protection against viruses belonging to the sarbecovirus family, including the viruses responsible for SARS and COVID-19.

Unlike traditional vaccines that are developed after a virus emerges, this AI-powered vaccine follows a predictive approach. Scientists used artificial intelligence to study multiple coronavirus strains and identify common features shared by these viruses. Using this information, they created a “super antigen” designed to train the immune system to recognise and fight a wider range of current and potentially future coronavirus variants.

The early human trial results have shown that the vaccine is safe and can trigger an immune response. However, researchers and experts caution that the technology is still in an experimental stage and will require larger clinical trials before it can be considered for widespread use.

The phase 1 trial involved only 39 participants and was mainly designed to evaluate safety and tolerability. A larger trial involving around 200 participants is underway to assess how effectively the vaccine can protect against coronavirus infections.

Researchers reported that the vaccine generated a modest immune response in humans. While the response was encouraging, experts said the next challenge is to determine whether it can produce a strong and long-lasting immune response across diverse populations.

Marc Boubnovski, Senior AI Scientist at Novo Nordisk, said the early results showed that the vaccine design could focus immune responses on important conserved regions of sarbecoviruses. However, he emphasised that much larger studies are required before confirming its effectiveness.

“The trial achieved what phase 1 trials are mainly meant to test: early safety and tolerability. It also showed some evidence that the design can focus responses on conserved sarbecovirus regions,” he said.

Explaining the role of AI in vaccine development, experts clarified that the technology does not independently create vaccines without human involvement. Instead, AI works as a powerful computational tool that helps scientists analyse large amounts of viral data, identify common weaknesses and design potential vaccine candidates.

Using computational biology, researchers compared different coronavirus strains and identified conserved parts of the spike protein’s receptor-binding domain. These common viral features were then used to design a synthetic antigen aimed at providing broader immune protection.

“The computer helps generate and prioritise candidates, but biology still gets the final vote through laboratory testing, animal studies and human clinical trials,” Boubnovski explained.

Scientists believe this approach could help prepare for future outbreaks by targeting virus families rather than waiting for new variants to appear. However, experts warn that AI cannot create a guaranteed vaccine against a completely unknown virus.

According to Boubnovski, the technology can help develop vaccines against related viruses within the same family but cannot predict and eliminate every possible future pathogen.

Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said the vaccine’s ability to target common viral features is a promising step towards developing broader protection.

She explained that these shared viral components, known as conserved elements, remain relatively unchanged even when viruses evolve. Targeting these stable regions could allow vaccines to offer protection against multiple related viruses, including some that may emerge in the future.

Researchers are now exploring whether the same AI-based approach can be used to develop universal vaccines against other major infectious diseases, including influenza and Ebola.

Experts believe AI could speed up vaccine research by rapidly analysing virus sequences and identifying targets that may provide cross-protection against multiple strains.

The vaccine also uses a needle-free delivery system, making it different from conventional injections. Instead of a traditional syringe, the vaccine is delivered through a specialised jet injector system that uses fluid pressure to introduce the vaccine into the skin.

Scientists hope this needle-free approach may improve public acceptance, particularly after concerns and misinformation affected confidence in some vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Gandhi said transparent communication about how AI helps accelerate vaccine development will be important to building public trust.

As research progresses, scientists believe AI-designed vaccines could become an important tool in preparing the world for future pandemics by allowing faster development of vaccines that are designed not only for today’s viruses but also for related threats that may emerge tomorrow.