Johnson & Johnson announced the acceleration of work on a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Phase I / IIa clinical trials will start in the second half of July. 1045 people will take part in the tests.
The company is also increasing production capacity and establishing partnerships to meet commitments and the global challenge of fighting the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Johnson & Johnson announced that Janssen has significantly accelerated the start of Phase I / IIa of the first human clinical trials of an experimental recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Ad26.COV2-S). The research, which was initially planned for September, is expected to start in the second half of July.
Based on preclinical data, the effects of which we have seen so far, and cooperation with regulatory authorities, we have managed to significantly accelerate the clinical development of our experimental recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. At the same time, we continue our efforts to build a global partnership and invest in our vaccine production technology and manufacturing capabilities. Our goal is to ensure that we can provide a vaccine to people around the world and protect them from this pandemic, said Paul Stoffels, MD, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Scientific Officer & Johnson.
The first human research
Increasing production capacity
Pending Phase I trial results and regulatory approval, the company is also in talks with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to initiate Phase III clinical trials of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Ad26.COV2-S).
Johnson & Johnson has pledged to deliver over a billion doses of the vaccine worldwide by 2021 if the vaccine is safe and effective. Therefore, in parallel with the progress of work on the clinical development of the vaccine, the company is increasing its production capacity and actively talks with global partners to ensure access to the vaccine around the world.
Strategic cooperation with BARDA
Johnson & Johnson’s efforts to accelerate the development and production of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are fostered by collaboration between Janssen and the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at the Department of Health and Aid Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which belongs to the group of coronaviruses that affect the respiratory system. There is currently no registered COVID-19 vaccine.
Check if you may have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus [RISK ASSESSMENT]
Read also:
- Is the world going through the peak of the disease? Three countries in the lead
- Who is most at risk of dying from COVID-19? Genes and blood type decide
- Usually, work on vaccines takes 10 years. Will the coronavirus one be created in two years?
- Prof. Simon: The epidemic will continue until we find a vaccine and drugs