JOHNSON & Johnson said on Wednesday it would bring forward by two months human trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine to the second half of July, as the drugmaker rushes to develop a shot for the contagious respiratory disease.
The company has already signed deals with the U.S. government to create enough manufacturing capacity to produce more than 1 billion doses of its vaccine through 2021, even before it has evidence that it works. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19.
J&J's study will test the vaccine against a placebo and assess its safety and immune response in 1,045 healthy people aged 18 to 55 years, as well as those 65 years and older. The trial will take place in the United States and Belgium.
"Based on the strength of the preclinical data we have seen so far and interactions with the regulatory authorities, we have been able to further accelerate the clinical development," said J&J's Chief Scientific Officer Paul Stoffels.
The company is also in talks with the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to start larger, late-stage trials ahead of schedule, depending on results of the early studies and regulatory approval.
Moderna Inc is at the forefront of COVID-19 vaccine development and has started testing its candidate in a mid-stage trial that will enroll 600 patients. The company expects to begin late-stage trials in July.
Moderna's vaccine uses messenger RNA technology, an approach that has not yet been approved for any medicine, while J&J is utilizing the same technology used to make its Ebola shot.
There are about 10 coronavirus vaccines in human testing and experts have predicted that a safe and effective vaccine could take 12 to 18 months from the start of development.
Shares of J&J were up 1.1% at $147.67 in morning trading.
Reuters
Wed Jun 10 2020
J&J's study will test the vaccine against a placebo and assess its safety and immune response in 1,045 healthy people aged 18 to 55 years, as well as those 65 years and older. - Filepic/REUTERS
Brazil's Lula says head injury 'serious,' with update from doctors in coming days
The president's injury forced him to cancel a trip to Russia for a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging markets being held in Kazan.
Blinken heads to Israel to revive Gaza ceasefire talks after Sinwar death
Blinken will focus discussions on how to end the war, plans for the enclave after the fighting ends and how to improve humanitarian assistance.
Facebook owner Meta restarts facial recognition tech in 'celeb-bait' crackdown
Meta said it will enroll about 50,000 public figures in a trial which involves automatically comparing their Facebook profile photos with images used in suspected scam advertisements.
BHP trying to avoid responsibility over Brazilian dam collapse, UK court told
More than 600,000 Brazilians, 46 local governments and around 2,000 businesses are suing BHP over the 2015 collapse of the Mariana dam in southeastern Brazil.
Minimum wage not benchmark for all employees' starting salaries - Sim
Steven Sim says the increase in the minimum wage is intended as a basic wage for workers with lower academic qualifications and skills.
Climate and China weigh on how the US views Pacific relations
Pacific leaders keep their preference for US President quiet, yet viewing relations only through the lens of China does nobody a service.
Gulen, the powerful cleric accused of orchestrating a Turkish coup, dies
Gulen was a one-time ally of Erdogan but they fell out spectacularly, and Erdogan held him responsible for the 2016 attempted coup.
[COLUMNIST] The reality of earthquakes in Malaysia: A threat we can’t ignore
The government needs to prepare the public to deal with such disasters in any way possible.
'PROTEGE-Veteran' provides job assurance for retirees
This is an aggressive step by the government to protect the welfare of retirees, said Dr Mohd Hasril Amiruddin.
US says THAAD anti-missile system is 'in place' in Israel
THAAD is a critical part of the US military's layered air defense systems and adds to Israel's already formidable anti-missile defenses.
IMAN Research calls for strengthening human security in 2025 Budget
IMAN Research identifies key areas for enhancement within the Malaysian government's Third MADANI Budget 2025.
Zambry assures academics of freedom of speech
Zambry says he is committed to preventing any actions that could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of academics across universities.
Media licensing framework development involves multiple consultations - Teo
Teo Nie Ching says the views of stakeholders have been considered through several engagement sessions and ongoing consultations.
ANALYSIS - World lags on 2030 nature goals headed into UN COP16 talks
A top concern for countries and companies is how to pay for conservation, with the COP16 talks aiming to develop new initiatives.
Situation in South China Sea safe, under control - Adly
Adly Zahari clarifies that reports of Chinese maritime assets near country's border mainly involve its Coast Guard, not its naval warships.
MOHE sets agenda to boost higher education cooperation ahead of ASEAN Chairmanship 2025
Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry said all higher education institutions must be involved to successfully implement the ASEAN chairmanship agenda.
King receives credentials of 12 foreign envoys to Malaysia
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim welcomes nine new foreign envoys and appoints two Malaysian diplomats in a ceremony at Istana Negara.
Israel gives the US its demands for ending war in Lebanon, Axios reports
Israel demands IDF "active enforcement" to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and rebuilding military infrastructure near the border.
Indonesia's Prabowo swears in cabinet of over 100 ministers, deputies
Prabowo Subianto's cabinet has 48 ministries with over 100 ministers and deputies, including two re-appointments.
Freeze on foreign worker employment quota to continue - Saifuddin
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said as of Sept 15 the total number of foreign workers is nearing the stipulated ceiling.