Another COVID-19 Vaccine on the Horizon

MailOnline/

Novavax Inc announced its experimental vaccine produced a promising immune response against the novel coronavirus, according to early data from clinical trials.

The Maryland-based company said participants generated high levels of neutralizing antibodies and T-cells, both of which are needed to build up immunity.

What’s more, the levels were higher than those seen among patients who’ve recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.   

The company said it could start a large pivotal Phase III trial as soon as late September and, on a conference call, added that it could produce between one billion and billion doses of the vaccine in 2021.    

Novavax research chief Gregory Glenn told Reuters the late-stage clinical trial could potentially glean enough data to obtain regulatory approvals as early as December.  

Novavax, which has not produced a vaccine before, created a shot that contains synthesized pieces of the surface protein that the coronavirus uses to invade human cells.

The idea is that the protein will cause human cells to spur production of antibodies to fight the infection.  

The Phase I trial, which began in late May, tested the vaccine in 106 participants between ages 18 and 59 while 25 people were given a placebo at two sites in Australia.

The inoculation, named NVX-CoV2373, was given with or without an adjuvant, which is an agent that boosts the immune response. 

Volunteers were split into four groups and given either five micrograms or 25 micrograms with or without the extra ingredient.

For those who were immunized they were given the jab via intramuscular injection about 21 days apart.

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