Is this different from the mRNA vaccines?
Researchers from the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI) (Inserm/Université Paris-Est Créteil), CEA and Université Paris-Saclay are working on the development of a vaccine comprised of a monoclonal antibody that targets immune cells circulating throughout the body: dendritic cells. These cells play a key role in stimulating the immune system through their ability to induce a robust and long-lasting antibody and cellular response, as demonstrated by the team in other models of infection. The monoclonal antibody is fused to a SARS-CoV-2 protein, which stimulates the dendritic cells.
Yes.
For one thing, there is no RNA involved. This treatment is similar to a classic vaccine, in that a synthetic fragment of non-reproducing virus shell is introduced to the body and provokes a durable immune response.
Also, the target for this treatment is not the S1 protein on the virus. It is a different piece of a virus shell, presumably less toxic than the S1 protein. That idea needs very careful testing.
The S1 protein was originally chosen as the target for the mRNA treatments because the researchers believed it was stable and would avoid the Antibody Dependent Enhancement reaction. Oops. Looks like they were wrong on both counts, plus S1 is toxic by itself. It is complicated.
These things must be tested in small populations over a period of time before deployed to general distribution. We forget that at our peril.