OPENCORONA: Accelerating pandemic preparedness with DNA vaccine manufacturing 

NorthX Biologics delivers plasmid DNA for COVID-19 vaccine development 

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, NorthX Biologics took a bold step by joining a pan-European, EU-funded scientific consortium, a move that carried significant risk for a small CDMO but underscored our deep commitment to scientific innovation and societal impact. The OPENCORONA project, funded under the Horizon 2020 program, set out to develop a DNA-based vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2, bringing together academia and industry in a powerful alliance to accelerate innovation. 

With a total budget of only €3 million (approximately 30 mSEK), our consortium set out to do what global pharmaceutical giants were doing but with a fraction of the resources. For context, Pfizer invested over $2 billion of private capital in its mRNA vaccine, while BioNTech received around €475 million in public funding. Despite this disparity, our team advanced from concept to clinical trial in just two years, a remarkable timeline given the scale and complexity of the task. 

NorthX Biologics played a critical role by delivering high-quality plasmid DNA for both toxicology studies and GMP-grade material for Phase I clinical trials. Our lean and agile approach allowed us to learn from early vaccine frontrunners, adapt to emerging data, and refine our vaccine design. The result was a next-generation DNA-based booster – a smart cocktail informed by the scientific insights and challenges of the first pandemic wave. 

This project demonstrates that when academic excellence is matched with industrial agility and a shared mission, even modest funding can drive major breakthroughs. We are proud to have contributed to a model of collaboration where innovation thrives not just through scale, but through purpose. 

Overcoming challenges in DNA vaccine manufacturing

The OPENCORONA team faced several key challenges: 

• Rapid viral mutations required late-stage redesigns of the vaccine construct. 

• Compressed timelines demanded fast decision-making and agile execution. 

• Scaling up production from research-grade to GMP-grade plasmid DNA while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance. 

NorthX Biologics: Agile plasmid DNA manufacturing partner 

NorthX Biologics was instrumental in overcoming these hurdles. The team produced HQ plasmid DNA for preclinical toxicology and later delivered GMP-grade plasmid DNA for clinical use. When the vaccine design was updated to include emerging variants such as Alpha and Beta, the company swiftly re-manufactured the HQ batch, ensuring the vaccine remained relevant and effective. 

Thanks to a flexible CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) model and robust plasmid DNA platform, the consortium was able to adapt quickly without compromising timelines or quality. 

Collaborative innovation across Europe

The OPENCORONA consortium brought together seven expert partners: 

• Karolinska Institutet – vaccine design and coordination 

• NorthX Biologics – plasmid DNA manufacturing 

• Scantox – toxicology testing 

• Karolinska University Hospital – clinical trials 

• Plus additional partners in delivery technology and immunological testing 

Despite pandemic-related restrictions, the consortium maintained momentum through clear communication, rapid decision-making, and mutual trust. 

Scientific innovation 

Unlike most COVID-19 vaccines that focused solely on the spike (S) protein, OPENCORONA’s DNA vaccine included: 

• Receptor Binding Domains (RBDs) from Wuhan, Alpha, and Beta variants 

• Membrane (M) and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins 

This multi-antigen design aimed to induce broad T cell immunity and offer protection against a wider range of SARS-CoV variants—making it especially suitable as a booster vaccine. 

Clinical impact and lessons learned 

The Phase I trial targeted individuals who had already received three doses of RNA vaccines. Early data showed strong T cell activation, suggesting potential benefits for immunocompromised patients. 

The project also underscored the value of public-private partnerships in early-phase research. Initiatives like OPENCORONA demonstrate how biotech companies can collaborate with academia to accelerate vaccine development and improve pandemic preparedness. 

Read more here: OPENCORONA | Karolinska Institutet