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TOP NEWS: AstraZeneca Says Covid-19 Vaccine Shows Early Promise

20th Jul 2020 15:07

(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Monday reported encouraging interim results from a trial of its potential Covid-19 vaccine, being developed alongside Oxford University.

AstraZeneca shares were 1.3% higher at 9,305.00 pence each in London on Monday afternoon. However, the stock was priced at 9,796.00p just prior to the announcement and dropped initially.

The much-anticipated findings showed that a single dose of AZD1222 resulted in a four-fold increase in antibodies fighting SARS-CoV-2, the virus strain which causes Covid-19.

"Interim results from the ongoing Phase I/II COV001 trial, led by Oxford University, showed AZD1222 was tolerated and generated robust immune responses against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in all evaluated participants," Astra said.

"Neutralising activity against SARS-CoV-2 (as assessed by the MNA80 assay) was seen in 91% of participants one month after vaccination and in 100% of participants who received a second dose."

Andrew Pollard, chief investigator of the Oxford trial, noted that the vaccine did not lead to any unexpected reactions.

"The immune responses observed following vaccination are in line with what we expect will be associated with protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, although we must continue with our rigorous clinical trial programme to confirm this. We saw the strongest immune response in participants who received two doses of the vaccine, indicating that this might be a good strategy for vaccination," Pollard said.

Late-stage Phase II/III trials have kicked off in the UK, Brazil and South Africa and will soon start in the US, Astra said.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals research & development at Astra, said the company was "encouraged" by the interim data.

He added: "While there is more work to be done, today's data increases our confidence that the vaccine will work and allows us to continue our plans to manufacture the vaccine at scale for broad and equitable access around the world."

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.


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