French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi said Tuesday it was stopping work on an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 despite positive test results as it lags behind rivals on producing a coronavirus shot.
The company said it would focus instead on another type of jab it is developing with British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and which is in the final phase of human trials.
Sanofi’s mRNA vaccine—the ground-breaking technology used by rivals Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna—had positive results in phase one and two of clinical trials, the firm said.
But Sanofi said it will not take it into the third and final phase, arguing that it would arrive too late to market with 12 billion COVID doses due to be produced by the end of the year.
Instead, the company will use the mRNA technology for vaccines against other pathogens, including the flu.
“The need is not to create new COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, but to equip France and Europe with an arsenal of messenger RNA vaccines for the next pandemic, for new pathologies,” Sanofi’s vice-president for vaccines, Thomas Triomphe, told AFP.
“There is no public health need for another messenger RNA vaccine” against COVID-19, he added.
Results from phase three trials of the other vaccine developed with GlaxoSmithKline are expected before the end of 2021.
The firms are combining a Sanofi-developed antigen, which stimulates the production of germ-killing antibodies, with GSK’s adjuvant technology, a substance that bolsters the immune response triggered by a vaccine.
Fighting flu and malaria
Messenger RNA works by providing human cells with the genetic instructions to make a surface protein of the coronavirus, which trains the immune system to recognise the real virus.
Sanofi said initial results for the mRNA product showed antibodies were created by 91-100 percent of test participants two weeks after a second injection.
No side effects were observed and tolerance of the jab was comparable to other mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.
The immune response from the Sanofi mRNA vaccine “is strong”, Triomphe said.
Sanofi had been working since March 2020 with Translate Bio, a US firm specialising in mRNA technology, and had even bought the biotech company for 2.7 billions euros ($3.2 billion) at the start of August.
Sanofi has already launched new tests for a seasonal flu vaccine and intends to start clinical trials next year.
The results from the COVID mRNA vaccine “will clearly help inform the path forward for our mRNA development programs,” said Sanofi’s global head of research and development, Jean-Francois Toussaint.
“Today, we have a promising mRNA platform, which we’re taking to the next level in development, including moving to modified mRNA, and against other diseases, including flu.”
Germany’s BioNTech, which developed its coronavirus mRNA vaccine with US giant Pfizer, announced in July that it aimed to start trialling a malaria vaccine using mRNA technology.
© 2021 AFP
Citation: France’s Sanofi halts work on mRNA Covid vaccine (2021, September 28) retrieved 30 September 2021 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-09-france-sanofi-halts-anti-covid-vaccine.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here
PULIDIKI Car Cleaning Gel Detailing Putty Interior Cleaner Slime Car Accessories Stocking Stuffers for Men Women Teens White Elephant Gifts for Adults
$5.59 (as of December 15, 2024 19:32 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MontNorth Collapsible Basin Bucket,9L Collapsible Dishpan with Drain Plug for Kitchen Sink,5L Portable Foldable Small Plastic Water Supplies for Outdoor Garden Camping Fishing Car Wash(Sets of 2)
$16.99 (as of December 15, 2024 19:10 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer, Microwave, Freezer & Dishwasher Safe, Non Toxic Glass Portable Cooking System, 4 QT & 6 Cup Glass Containers with Storage Lids, Easy Meals, Air Fry, Bake, & More Grey, FN101GY
$159.99 (as of December 15, 2024 19:03 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set Automatic Battery Pepper Mill Shakers Adjustable Coarseness Easy Filling Upgraded Larger Capacity with Led (2 Pack Black/Black）
$26.99 (as of December 15, 2024 19:03 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
