Could there soon be a vaccine for the common cold?
- An early clinical trial of a new vaccine candidate, APL-10456, has shown encouraging signs of protecting against the common cold.
- Developed by Imperial College London and Apollo Therapeutics, the jab induced immune responses against all three major species of rhinovirus in 144 healthy volunteers.
- Vaccinating against rhinoviruses has long been considered difficult due to the existence of around 180 circulating strains worldwide.
- Scientists hope the vaccine will help protect vulnerable patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for whom colds can trigger severe flare-ups.
- The study is now moving into its second phase, with further results expected at the end of the year and a COPD-specific trial planned for 2027.
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