AstraZeneca, University of Oxford Collaborate on COVID-19 Vaccine

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford have announced, in an April 30, 2020 press release, that they will collaborate on the global development and distribution of the university’s potential recombinant adenovirus vaccine aimed at preventing COVID-19 infection.

The vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, has been developed by the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group. Under the terms of the agreement, the global development, manufacture, and distribution of the vaccine would be the responsibility of AstraZeneca.

“As COVID-19 continues its grip on the world, the need for a vaccine to defeat the virus is urgent,” said Pascal Soriot, CEO, AstraZeneca, in the press release. “This collaboration brings together the University of Oxford’s world-class expertise in vaccinology and AstraZeneca’s global development, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities. Our hope is that, by joining forces, we can accelerate the globalization of a vaccine to combat the virus and protect people from the deadliest pandemic in a generation.”

“Our partnership with AstraZeneca will be a major force in the struggle against pandemics for many years to come. We believe that together we will be in a strong position to start immunising against coronavirus once we have an effective approved vaccine,” added Sir John Bell, Regius professor of Medicine at Oxford University, in the press release. “Sadly, the risk of new pandemics will always be with us, and the new research centre will enhance the world’s preparedness and our speed of reaction the next time we face such a challenge.”

The vaccine has already been entered into Phase I clinical trials, which will be used to determine its efficacy and safety in healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 years and 55 years. Data from this Phase I trial are anticipated to be available in May 2020, with advancement to late-stage clinical trials expected to take place by the middle of the year.

Source: AstraZeneca