COVID-19 Vaccine By AstraZeneca Reaches Phase 3 Clinical Trials In US, Begins Late-stage Study
The AstraZeneca shot is one of the leaders in the race to develop Covid-19 vaccine. Other companies that have Covid-19 vaccines in phase 3 trials include Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
US President Donald Trump announced that AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine has reached Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States and is very close to being finalised for approval.
Trial participants will receive either two doses of the experimental vaccine - dubbed AZD1222 - four weeks apart, or a placebo, the company said.
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The trial is being conducted under US government¡¯s Operation Warp Speed program, which aims to accelerate development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.
US President Donald Trump has said that a vaccine for the novel coronavirus could be available before the November 3 presidential election, much sooner than most experts anticipate.
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AstraZeneca, which is developing its vaccine in conjunction with Oxford University researchers, and Pfizer Inc with partner BioNTech SE, have said they could have data by October, to support U.S. emergency use authorization or approval of their respective vaccines, reports Reuters.
Also Read: AstraZeneca Expects Covid-19 Vaccine By September As Pharma Firms Ramp Up Efforts For Vaccine
"Trial centres across the US are recruiting up to 30,000 adults aged 18 years or over from diverse racial, ethnic and geographic groups who are healthy or have stable underlying medical conditions, including those living with HIV, and who are at increased risk of infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus," AstraZeneca said in a statement.
AZD1222 is already undergoing late-stage clinical trials in Britain, Brazil and South Africa, with additional trials planned in Japan and Russia. The trials, together with the U.S. Phase III study, aim to enroll up to 50,000 participants globally.
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The US trial will evaluate whether the vaccine can prevent COVID-19 infection or keep the illness from becoming severe, the National Institutes of Health said in a statement.
AstraZeneca is one of the leaders in the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. Other companies that have COVID-19 vaccines in phase 3 trials include Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine: Serum Institute Begins Phase 2 Trial Of Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Today
Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isn¡¯t any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Don¡¯t self medicate/stock up and always consult your doctor/medical health professional.
