The potential coronavirus vaccine of AstraZeneca is likely to provide protection against contracting COVID-19 for one year, said the chief executive of the company. AstraZeneca has already started human trials of the vaccine that is developed by the University of Oxford, with a phase I trial in Britain. The trial is about to end soon, and a phase III trial has already started.
AstraZeneca also revealed on 13 June 2020, that it signed contracts with Europe’s Inclusive Vaccines Alliance, spearheaded by Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands for supplying the European Union with up to 400 million doses of the potential vaccine.
With this agreement, the Inclusive Vaccines Alliance aims at accelerating the vaccine supply and making it available to other European countries that want to participate in the initiative. Inclusive Vaccines Alliance is committed to providing equitable access to all participating countries.
AstraZeneca has also signed agreement with the United States, United Kingdom, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Gavi the Vaccine Alliance for 700 million doses. In addition, it agreed a license with the Serum Institute of India for supplying an additional 1 billion doses, especially for low- and middle-income countries.
“If all goes well, we will have the results of the clinical trials in August/September. We are manufacturing in parallel. We will be ready to deliver from October if all goes well,” Soriot said.
Brief about AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients across the globe.
