About us
Rokote Laboratories Finland Ltd
We are a Finnish vaccine development company.
Our company was established in 2020, when the development of our first vaccine was also started. Our premises are located in Kuopio and Helsinki.
Our company’s operations were founded on research cooperation based on the competence of the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. The research work has been supported by the Research Council of Finland, The Wihuri Research Institute and The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation. In 2021, our company received EUR 9 million in funding (Ferring Ventures SA, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Business Finland) for the further development, manufacture, and implementation of our FINCoVac coronavirus vaccine, as well as for the first and second phases of clinical trials.
Our company was established in 2020, when the development of our first vaccine was also started. Our premises are located in Kuopio and Helsinki.
Our company’s operations were founded on research cooperation based on the competence of the University of Helsinki and the University of Eastern Finland. The research work has been supported by the Research Council of Finland, The Wihuri Research Institute and The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation. In 2021, our company received EUR 9 million in funding (Ferring Ventures SA, Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Business Finland) for the further development, manufacture, and implementation of our FINCoVac coronavirus vaccine, as well as for the first and second phases of clinical trials.
We are developing the Finnish COVID-19 vaccine
The development is based on the knowledge and cooperation of Professor Kalle Saksela, Academic Kari Alitalo, and Academy Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala. The development of our vaccine is based on a knowledge base created through long-term research.
Our FINCoVac vaccine consists of an adenoviral vector to which the viral spike protein gene of SARS-CoV-2 virus has been transferred. Our vaccine is designed to program the nasopharyngeal cells to produce an immune-response-inducing SARS-CoV-2-viral spike protein. FINCoVac vaccines do not contain the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Our FINCoVac vaccine is administered into the nose, because the coronavirus naturally causes infection via the airways. A vaccine administered onto the nasal mucosa is expected to give a wider immune response than a vaccine administered into the muscle. The vaccines administered into the muscle produce IgG antibodies to the blood circulation, but the vaccine administered onto the nasal mucosa also produces IgA antibodies to protect the mucous membranes. This can also be expected to prevent those vaccinated from further transmitting the virus.
Our easily and quickly adaptable FINCoVac vaccine could help respond to virus variants in the future. Using the same method, it may be possible to develop vaccines against other viruses in the future. This may also allow us to prepare ourselves for the threat of other pandemics in the future.
Our FINCoVac vaccine consists of an adenoviral vector to which the viral spike protein gene of SARS-CoV-2 virus has been transferred. Our vaccine is designed to program the nasopharyngeal cells to produce an immune-response-inducing SARS-CoV-2-viral spike protein. FINCoVac vaccines do not contain the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Our FINCoVac vaccine is administered into the nose, because the coronavirus naturally causes infection via the airways. A vaccine administered onto the nasal mucosa is expected to give a wider immune response than a vaccine administered into the muscle. The vaccines administered into the muscle produce IgG antibodies to the blood circulation, but the vaccine administered onto the nasal mucosa also produces IgA antibodies to protect the mucous membranes. This can also be expected to prevent those vaccinated from further transmitting the virus.
Our easily and quickly adaptable FINCoVac vaccine could help respond to virus variants in the future. Using the same method, it may be possible to develop vaccines against other viruses in the future. This may also allow us to prepare ourselves for the threat of other pandemics in the future.