Yeast-Based Vaccine Platforms: Applications and Key Insights from the COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated vaccine innovation but also exposed weaknesses in global access and manufacturing. Yeast-based platforms, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris, also known as Komagataella phaffii, offer a practical complement to vector systems. These eukaryotic microorganisms combine safety, scalability, and cost-effectiveness with the ability to express complex antigens and assemble virus-like particles. Building on the success of the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, recent advances in glycoengineering, CRISPR-based host optimization, and surface display technologies have expanded the utility of yeast-based platforms for the rapid development of vaccines. Yeast-derived SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) subunit vaccines, such as Corbevax and Abdala (CIGB-66), demonstrate that affordable, immunogenic, and thermostable products are feasible at scale. Emerging innovations in glycan humanization, thermostable formulations, and oral or mucosal delivery highlight the potential of yeast-based vaccines for decentralized manufacturing and equitable pandemic preparedness. This review summarizes recent technical and clinical progress in yeast-based vaccine research, positioning these platforms as accessible and adaptable tools for future outbreak responses and global immunization strategies.