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The American biotechnology company Novavax says that the early-stage clinical trial for its NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine has shown positive results. Specifically, the vaccine has triggered an immune response and produced higher levels of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in both recovered and recovered COVID-19 patients.
In a press release dated August 4th, Novavax stated that in the first phase of testing, 131 healthy volunteers aged 18-59 were given a placebo, while the other two groups (5 people each) received two doses of the vaccine at different times, 5 and 25 micrograms respectively.
Many countries are in a race to find and develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
Following the first dose, the bodies of all vaccine recipients produced antibodies against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Twenty-eight days after the second dose, all volunteers in both groups of five showed stronger production of neutralizing antibodies.
Novavax stated that the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine also causes some side effects such as pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. According to Novavax, the 5-microgram dose of the vaccine is almost as effective as the higher dose and causes fewer side effects.
This trial was conducted in Australia in late May, and phase III of the NVX-CoV2373 trial is expected to take place this fall.
If successful, Novavax initially aims to produce 100 million doses of the vaccine by January 2021 and 1-2 billion doses in 2021. Last month, Novavax received $1.6 billion in funding from the US government under the "Operation Warp Speed" program to accelerate the development and production of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Besides Novavax, other American pharmaceutical companies receiving government support include Moderna and AstraZeneca. Both companies are entering the final stages of vaccine trials.
There are increasingly optimistic signs coming from major corporations around the world regarding the search for a Covid-19 vaccine.
Not only the US, but many other countries are also in the race to find and develop a COVID-19 vaccine. On August 4th, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that the WHO is very optimistic about the information regarding the development of a COVID-19 vaccine by Russia. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said that the first Russian COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be registered within 10 days. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that volunteers testing the vaccine have shown an immune response without side effects.
Earlier, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that Russia was planning to begin mass vaccination in October. The vaccine being used in this immunization campaign was researched and developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Additionally, another vaccine developed by Vektor Laboratories is currently undergoing clinical trials, while two other vaccine candidates will begin human trials within the next two months.
