GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Covid-19 vaccine close to production
Pharmaceutical giants Sanofi and
GlaxoSmithKline said today they have launched a large trial to test vaccine candidates. The phase 3 trial – the final stage before regulatory approval – involves 35,000 adults in the US, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The study will test how effective the proposed vaccines are against both the original virus that emerged out of
Wuhan and the later
South African variant.
If the trial is successful, regulators could approve the vaccine for use in the last three months of 2021. The companies said if approved by regulators, they will start manufacturing the vaccine in “the coming weeks”.
Senior figures from the firms said they believe another vaccine is necessary because the virus is continually evolving, and to protect against new variants.
Thomas Triomphe, executive vice president at Sanofi, said: “We have adapted our vaccine development strategy based on forward-looking considerations as the virus continues to evolve, as well as anticipating what may be needed in a post-pandemic setting.”
Following successful results in the earlier phase 2 trial, Mr Triomphe said: “We know multiple vaccines will be needed, especially as variants continue to emerge and the need for effective and booster vaccines which can be stored at normal temperatures increases.”
The phase 2 trial found that the vaccine triggered a strong immune response in adults. After two shots of the proposed vaccine, participants in the trial showed antibodies similar to those found in people who have had Covid-19 and recovered, according to the earlier trial’s results.
GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi’s vaccine was originally due to form an important part of the
European Union’s vaccination efforts, but it hit a roadblock when early testing showed that it did not have enough of an effect on older people.
GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi Covid-19 vaccine close to production (msn.com)