Vaccine Development Continues as More Enter Distribution Phase and Clinical

With new hope emerging in the global pandemic by the roll out of two mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, additional vaccines are entering the market and undergoing testing in large clinical trials. AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine is expected to receive approval from regulators in the United Kingdom as soon as today. The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a modified adenovirus that teaches human cells to create the novel coronavirus’ spike protein. It requires two injections but does not need to be frozen like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which may ease the distribution process.

The Novavax vaccine, which uses a stabilized form of the novel coronavirus’ spike protein, began a 30,000 subject Phase 3 clinical trial in the United States and Mexico on December 28. Supported by President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed Program, the Novavax vaccine creates antibodies to SARS Co-V-2’s spike protein that hinder its ability to attach to cell surface receptors. The vaccine requires two injections but does not need to be stored in subzero temperatures. Read more here.