$3.86 Million NIH Grant Accelerates Purdue Veterinary Scholar’s Novel Approach in Race to Develop Effective Vaccine to Combat COVID-19

Suresh Mittal pictured standing in front of the Continuum sculpture outside Lynn Hall

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many schools and colleges across the United States implementing plans to start face-to-face classroom teaching, the race to develop an effective vaccine is intensifying, according to Purdue University Distinguished Professor of Virology Suresh Mittal. “The availability of an effective vaccine will be vital to protect everyone here in the U.S. and worldwide,” said Dr. Mittal, who is an accomplished vaccine researcher in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology

COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).  Dr. Mittal is leading a research team that is taking a novel approach to developing an efficient vaccine for COVID-19, and the research just received a major boost in the form of a five-year $3.86 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.  

Dr. Mittal’s approach utilizes a harmless form of a common cold-like adenovirus as a vaccine platform. “This platform-based vaccine expresses the important SARS-CoV-2 immunogens that produce an immune response,” Dr. Mittal said. “This type of COVID-19 vaccine provides a balanced antibody and cell-based protection.”

Dr. Mittal said the COVID-19 vaccine needs to be highly immunogenic because the human immune system does not have an immune memory against this new virus.  His vaccine approach is simple due to the use of a safe version of adenovirus with the capability to induce protective immune responses.

Dr. Mittal is collaborating on the research with Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor and associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University; and Dr. Suryaprakash Sambhara, Immunology Laboratory team lead at the Influenza Division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Mittal emphasized that it will be critical to have several vaccine approaches in order to meet global demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. He said at present, there are at least three adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines in Phase 2 or 3 clinical trials. More than 160 COVID-19 vaccines are at various stages of development.

Dr. Mittal also cautions that the elderly are the most vulnerable segment of the population because of a higher risk of COVID-19 severity, and therefore, vaccine development efforts should consider the decline in the immune competence of the elderly. 

“An effective COVID-19 vaccine will flatten the COVID-19 pandemic’s trajectory and its second wave, thus saving lives and the global economy,” Dr. Mittal said.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

We’d like to give a big “paws up” to Dr. Rachel Illgen, who is a small animal rotating intern in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Purdue Veterinary Student Named as National Theriogenology Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Devon Anderson, of the Purdue DVM Class of 2025, who recently was notified that he has been selected as one of just four recipients of the prestigious Nandi Theriogenology Scholarship. The award, given by the Society for Theriogenology, recognizes exceptional veterinary students from across North America who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the field of theriogenology — the study of animal reproduction.

Sunny Skies and Creative Exhibits Draw Hundreds to Annual PVM Open House

Sunrise on Saturday, April 12, brought the promise of a lovely spring day and large crowds for a beloved spring tradition at Lynn Hall on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus – the annual Purdue Veterinary Medicine Open House. Organized by PVM students, the day-long event is held each year as part of Purdue University’s Spring Fest celebration.

Cat Care, Comfort, and Extra Time

Today we begin a Vet Gazette series about animals and their owners who've found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Periodically we will share heartwarming tributes from hospital clients who wanted to highlight the vital care and treatment their animal companions received from the hospital's caring team of clinicians, veterinary nurses, staff and students. The first is the tale of a cat named Gabby.

New PVM Interim Assistant Dean for Clinical Education Named

As of this week, Dr. Wendy Townsend, professor of Ophthalmology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, has begun serving as interim assistant dean for clinical education in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her appointment was effective Wednesday, April 16.

Nine PVM Faculty Members among Newly Promoted Purdue University Professors

The Purdue University Board of Trustees has approved the promotion of 163 faculty across the Purdue University system for the 2025-26 academic year, and a total of nine Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members are among the 137 promotees from the main campus.