Sanofi and GSK begin clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine

Paris, Sep 3 (efe-epa).- French pharmaceutical company Sanofi and Britain’s GSK announced Thursday the launch of a clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine.

The immunization developed by the two companies will be tested on 440 healthy adults at a dozen study centers in the United States.

The phase 1/2 clinical trial will be conducted in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled manner to evaluate the safety profiles, tolerance and immune response of the candidates.

It will take place across 11 study centers in the US, whose department of health has funded the vaccine.

This vaccine is being manufactured using Sanofi’s seasonal influenza vaccines and GSK’s established pandemic adjuvant technology, a resource that can reduce the amount of protein needed per dose and multiply production.

Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Sanofi Pasteur, said in a statement: “Sanofi and GSK bring proven science and technology to the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic, with the shared objective of delivering a safe and effective vaccine.

“The initiation of our clinical study is an important step and brings us closer to a potential vaccine which could help defeat Covid-19.”

He added that their teams are working “around the clock” and hope to deliver the first results in early December.

“Positive data will enable a prompt start of the pivotal phase three trial by the end of this year,” he continued.

Preclinical studies have shown promising safety and immunogenicity, according to the companies.