Early trials for ‘common cold’ vaccine offer encouraging signs

A vaccine designed to protect against rhinoviruses, which cause the great majority of common colds and exacerbate chronic respiratory illnesses, has shown encouraging early results in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

Initial findings from the study found that the vaccine candidate (APL-10456) was well tolerated in healthy volunteers and induced immunity against multiple rhinovirus species. 

The vaccine was developed through a collaboration between Imperial College London and biopharmaceutical firm Apollo Therapeutics, building on years of research led by Professor Sebastian Johnston from Imperial's National Heart and Lung Institute.

Rhinoviruses have long been considered one of the most difficult targets for vaccine development because there are so many different types in continuous circulation worldwide – around 180 different strains, across three species (A, B and C). Although most infections cause a mild common cold, rhinoviruses are a major cause of flare ups or exacerbations in people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This can place a significant burden on patients and health services. There are currently no approved targeted antiviral therapies or vaccines for rhinovirus infection. 

Imperial researchers have worked with Apollo Therapeutics since 2017 to evaluate and refine different vaccine approaches. A series of more than 20 preclinical studies carried out in conjunction with contract research organisation VirTus Respiratory Research Ltd was essential in identifying the most promising vaccine candidate and generated the evidence needed to support its progression into human testing.

Apollo Therapeutics in partnership with Imperial has announced that enrolment and dosing in a randomised, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial involving 144 healthy participants has completed. Initial results from the first stage of the study suggest a single dose of APL-10456 was well tolerated and resulted in immune responses against all three of the major rhinovirus species.

Professor Sebastian Johnston, Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy at Imperial College London's National Heart and Lung Institute, said: “We’ve now achieved a significant milestone in the rhinovirus vaccine programme with the first human participants receiving our novel vaccine candidate, with initial results showing it is well tolerated and effective.” 

“With so many different strains of rhinovirus currently circulating, developing a vaccine was long thought to be out of reach. It is very encouraging to see this progress into clinical results, which follow years of research and development. Reaching this stage is a testament to the strength of the Apollo-Imperial partnership, and we look forward to learning more from the future studies.”

The first stage of the Phase 1 study evaluated the safety, tolerability and immune response of APL-10456 in healthy participants. While the first stage of the trial evaluated three single dose levels of APL-10456 in adults aged 18-54 years, the second stage is evaluating a two-dose regimen in adults aged 55 and above. Further data are expected in Q4 2026. 

Phase 1 clinical trials assess the safety of a new vaccine and immune responses, generally in a healthy cohort. Further clinical research is needed to establish whether this vaccine can prevent rhinovirus infections or reduce illness in people with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions. A study in COPD patients is anticipated to start in the first half of 2027.

Link to trial findings: Apollo Therapeutics