Published: 14.8.2025
Text: Leena Hulsi / Viestintätoimisto Jokiranta
Photos: Veikko Somerpuro

 

Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic started in Wuhan, China and spread all over the world. It resulted in the death of millions of individuals, restricted citizens’ everyday lives in many ways and drove businesses into bankruptcy.  Today, this disease that led to huge economic losses and enormous human suffering is no longer in the headlines or the minds of most people. Despite this shift, however, researchers at the University of Helsinki have continued to develop a coronavirus vaccine to ensure that the world will weather the next pandemic with the least possible damage.

“When the local epidemic induced by a fatal virus in Wuhan grew into a global pandemic, scientists in different countries began to feverishly develop an effective vaccine in order to save human lives. An intense race against the coronavirus began”, explains Kalle Saksela, Professor of Virology at the University of Helsinki.

That race has now turned into a marathon with Finland at the front of the pack.

“Based on our prior work, we were able to develop a suitable candidate for an emergency-aid vaccine within a short period of time. It was never taken in use because the international pharmaceutical companies quite soon launched their proprietary vaccines, which were supplied to Finland as well. Nevertheless, we continued developing our own vaccine prototype since we believed in its great potential.”

Saksela points out that presenting a possible life-saving solution in an emergency situation is not the same as the development of a competitive commercial product. The pathways are quite different, with the latter requiring considerably more time and money.

“Basic research continues at the university. In addition, research-based vaccine development is being conducted in collaboration with Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd in order to translate Finnish vaccine know-how into an international success story. When the race turned into a marathon, most of our western competitors dropped out. Finland is now in a perfect position to make it to the top and the international market”, Saksela affirms.

Nasal spray vaccine to protect individuals, businesses and society at large

Erkko Ylösmäki, CEO of Rokote Laboratories Finland, believes in the success of the nasal spray vaccine being developed in Finland.

“The nasal spray vaccine has many benefits as compared to muscle-injected vaccines. One of the most significant benefits of the intra-nasally administered vaccine is that it both protects individuals against falling ill and prevents them from further spreading the virus”, Ylösmäki explains.

“Coronavirus infects us through our noses. The effect of the nasal spray vaccine is based on the fact that the virus is eliminated on the mucous membrane of the nose, which prevents it from reaching the lungs. By inducing a strong immune response on the nasal mucosa, we can effectively prevent the spread of the disease among the population. Traditional vaccines are not equally effective in preventing new infections or stopping the disease wave”, Saksela continues.

The nasal spray vaccination thus provides protection for not only individuals but also businesses and society at large, because the efficient prevention of the spread of the virus will render massive lockouts of the society unnecessary. This aspect is worth taking into consideration when discussing the funding of vaccine development.

“The nasal spray vaccine is not only intended to protect the citizens of Finland, but would also meet the global demand for this type of vaccine as well. We have all the elements for success in our hands”, says Ylösmäki.

“Our aim is to be the first in Europe to launch a mucosal vaccine.” – Erkko Ylösmäki

 

Finland is the clear front-runner

Ylösmäki explains that the coronavirus vaccine prototype developed in Finland has already been tested in preclinical animal trials. In January 2025, the company received permission to proceed to phase 1 clinical trials in humans.

“We have a long way to go before we have a commercial product, but the results we have already achieved can be considered a success. Marketing authorisation requires the completion of phases 2 and 3 to validate the dosage, efficacy and safety of the product on a larger scale. The project as a whole is expensive and calls for major investments”, says Ylösmäki.

“If our promising start continues to get the green light, we will continue working toward the goal of making our nasal spray vaccine the first to obtain a marketing authorisation in Europe. That would be a fantastic success story.”

Attempts have been made in other countries to develop similar products, but unlike Finland, they have been less successful.

“In India, there is a somewhat similar vaccine but it lacks marketing authorisation in western markets. In the United States, there is no corresponding vaccine, so Finland is a pioneer in this field.”

Continual development

According to the researchers, the Finnish vaccine prototype also has the potential to prevent other respiratory tract infections that may result in pandemics.

“The next pandemic may be caused by something other than a coronavirus, such as, avian influenza. We must be able to rapidly respond to new threats and virus variants. Therefore, we need to make the vaccine easily modifiable”, says Riku Fagerlund, University Researcher at the Department of Virology, University of Helsinki.

Fagerlund and his colleagues aim to further enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen, thus making it possible to provide protection with a smaller dose. Another aim is to achieve an immune response with a broader spectrum.

They have already managed to improve the vector used in the vaccine so as to facilitate rapid variant changes and antigen transfers. By means of the new technology, it only takes a day or two to add a variant to the vector; a job that used to require months.

The importance of the modifiability and broad spectrum of the vaccine is stressed by Ylösmäki as well. The company already has plans for the modification of the nasal spray vaccine in order to make it suitable for the prevention of a variety of respiratory tract infections.

“Our first product will be a coronavirus vaccine, but the vaccine prototype can be modified to tackle the threats of other viruses causing respiratory tract infections if necessary. We now have a versatile platform available that can be developed using the latest research-based knowledge”, says Ylösmäki.

“A research centre for viral threats should be established in association with the University of Helsinki. It would help us to prepare ourselves for the next pandemic, which we will inevitably face sooner or later”, states University Researcher Riku Fagerlund.

Independent vaccine production for enhanced security of supply

The experts are in agreement that now is the time to prepare for the next pandemic.

“Finland should urgently establish a Research centre for viral threats. A research centre operating in association with the University of Helsinki would focus on preparing us for a situation that we will inevitably face again, sooner or later”, Fagerlund suggests.

The risk of pandemics is increased by wars, climate change and biodiversity loss. In the current global situation, it is not self-evident that all countries would have access to efficient vaccines.”

“Apart from vaccine development, we should also have the capacity for independent vaccine production, and to this end, Finland is already in an excellent position. Our nasal spray vaccine will certainly interest the decision-makers and authorities more extensively once its efficacy and safety are demonstrated”, Saksela believes.

 

The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation donates one million euro to Finnish vaccine research