New Delhi (NVI): AstraZeneca Plc has resumed the US trial of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine after approval by regulators, and Johnson & Johnson is preparing to resume its trial on Monday or Tuesday, putting research into two of the leading candidates for a coronavirus inoculation back on track.
AstraZeneca, one of the leading vaccine developers, paused its US trial on September 6 after a report of a serious neurological illness, believed to be transverse myelitis, in a participant in the company’s UK trial.
Announced today, clinical trials for the AstraZeneca @UniofOxford #COVID19 vaccine have now resumed globally. https://t.co/55RKszdKHB pic.twitter.com/1Rj6nuKwA9
— AstraZeneca (@AstraZeneca) October 23, 2020
AstraZeneca trials in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa resumed last month even as the US Food and Drug Administration continued its investigation into the case. The vaccine is being developed along with researchers at Oxford University.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson paused its large, late-stage trial last week after a study participant became ill.
Today, we are preparing to resume recruitment in the pivotal Phase 3 trial of our investigational Janssen #COVID19 vaccine in the U.S. after a temporary pause. There is no greater priority than the health & safety of the people we serve around the world: https://t.co/2kuZmUjaiL pic.twitter.com/5aaDV2saOx
— Johnson & Johnson (@JNJNews) October 23, 2020
Both companies have contracts to provide vaccine to the United States and other governments if they are cleared by regulators.
The news signaled progress against the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 41 million globally, including 8 million Americans and comes 10 days before a US presidential election that may hinge on plans here to fight the pandemic.
-CHK
