Novavax starts Phase 1 clinical trial of coronavirus vaccine candidate

A small bottle labelled with a "Vaccine" sticker is held near a medical syringe in front of displayed ``Coronavirus COVID-19`` words in this illustration taken Apr 10, 2020. REUTERS
A small bottle labelled with a "Vaccine" sticker is held near a medical syringe in front of displayed ``Coronavirus COVID-19`` words in this illustration taken Apr 10, 2020. REUTERS
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Reuters : Novavax Inc said on Monday it has started the Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel coronavirus vaccine candidate and has enrolled the trial’s first participants, with preliminary results slated for July.

The Maryland-based late-stage biotechnology company in April said it identified the candidate, NVX-CoV2373, with which it planned to use its Matrix-M adjuvant to enhance immune responses.

Adjuvants are mainly used to make vaccines induce a strong immune response, including through the greater production of antibodies, and provide longer-lasting protection against viral and bacterial infection.

Novavax said it expects preliminary immunogenicity and safety results from the trial in July.

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The announcement comes as drugmakers pause clinical trials for other ailments and race to find an antidote for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus which has infected more than 5.3 million people worldwide and killed over 343,000.

Novavax said, upon successful completion of Phase 1, the Phase 2 portion of the trial will be conducted in several countries, including the United States.

The Phase 2 trial will assess immunity, safety and COVID-19 disease reduction in a broader age range, Novavax said.

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