Cambridge uses AI to design a universal vaccine aimed at stopping future pandemics early

Researchers at the University of Cambridge used AI to create a 'universal vaccine', the first ever to have its active ingredient fully designed by a computer and tested on humans. The trial, held at two UK medical centers, involved 39 healthy adults aged 18 to 50, with no major side effects reported.

The vaccine targets Sarbeco coronaviruses, using a breakthrough antigen crafted by AI. After vaccination, volunteers showed protective immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, SARS, and related bat viruses that could cause future outbreaks. The team fed global Sarbeco coronavirus gene sequences into an AI model, which then designed an antigen that captures features common to the entire virus group.

Professor Jonathan Heeney from Cambridge said this shifts vaccine development from reactive to proactive, offering protection even as viruses mutate. The approach could also lead to a single shot that guards against diseases like flu and Ebola. With the small initial trial done, next steps will test the vaccine in a larger, more diverse group of people.