An experimental coronavirus vaccine designed using artificial intelligence and advanced computer simulations has been found safe in its first human clinical trial, according to research published in the Journal of Infection in June 2026.

The vaccine, known as pEVAC-PS, was developed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Southampton and biotechnology company DIOSynVax Ltd. Scientists say it is the first vaccine with an active component designed entirely through AI-assisted computational modeling to reach human testing.

Researchers hope the vaccine could provide broad protection against a range of coronaviruses, including viruses related to SARS and COVID-19, while helping address the challenge posed by rapidly mutating strains.

According to Cambridge University, the vaccine uses an AI-designed "superantigen" approach aimed at triggering immune responses against parts of the virus that are less likely to change over time. Scientists believe this strategy could eventually offer an alternative to vaccines that require frequent updates as new variants emerge.

The Phase 1 trial involved 39 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50. Participants received different doses of the vaccine and had previously received two or three COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Unlike conventional vaccines, pEVAC-PS was administered using the PharmaJet Tropis needle-free delivery system. Researchers said the technology could simplify vaccine distribution and provide logistical advantages in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.

No serious adverse events were reported during the trial. Most side effects were mild or moderate and included expected reactions such as temporary fatigue and tenderness at the administration site.

Researchers found that the vaccine generated measurable immune responses, although its impact was limited by the fact that many participants had already been vaccinated against or previously exposed to COVID-19. Existing immunity made it more difficult to determine the vaccine's additional effect on antibody production.

In the group that received the highest dose, scientists observed a statistically significant increase in antibodies targeting specific regions of the virus. Increased neutralizing activity against several SARS-CoV-2 variants was also recorded.

However, researchers cautioned that the immune protection observed during the trial was not broad enough to demonstrate universal protection against all coronaviruses. They emphasized that larger and more extensive clinical studies will be required to evaluate the vaccine's long-term effectiveness and broader protective potential.

The findings nevertheless represent an important step in the application of artificial intelligence to vaccine development, an area that has attracted growing interest from researchers and biotechnology companies worldwide.

Scientists say AI-assisted design tools could significantly shorten the time needed to develop new vaccines and may eventually contribute to efforts to create broader vaccines against rapidly evolving diseases such as influenza, HIV and future coronavirus threats.

The study comes as researchers around the world continue searching for next-generation vaccines capable of providing protection against multiple coronavirus strains and reducing the impact of future outbreaks.(ILKHA)