LONDON – The first human challenge study of SARS-CoV-2 infection has reported initial results, showing it is safe to infect healthy volunteers with the virus in controlled conditions, and paving the way for the model to be used to accelerate clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics.
LONDON – The U.K. will become the first country to stage a human challenge trial in which volunteers are deliberately infected with SARS-CoV-2, as a fast route to assessing the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, and to build understanding of what an effective immune response looks like. The contract research organization Open Orphan plc said it is in advanced negotiations with the U.K. government and other partners for the studies, which are expected to be formally announced next week.
LONDON – The European Commission is laying plans for joint procurement of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of all 27 EU member states, and is in discussions to agree on a harmonized approach to access and who gets vaccinated first.