Initiation of phase I trial of COVID-19 S-Trimer vaccine (SCB-2019).- Clover Biopharmaceuticals + GSK

Clover Biopharmaceuticals announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical study evaluating the company’s COVID-19 S-Trimer vaccine (SCB-2019) in combination with GSKs pandemic adjuvant system. The study initiation follows promising preclinical results which demonstrated the beneficial effect of GSKs pandemic adjuvant for the SCB-2019 vaccine candidate, with high neutralizing antibody levels elicited in multiple animal species. Preliminary safety and immunogenicity results for the Phase II study are expected in August 2020. In parallel, the planning for a global Phase IIb/III vaccine efficacy trial has begun, with initiation targeted later in 2020. The use of an adjuvant is of particular importance in a pandemic situation since it can reduce the amount of protein required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and made available to more people.