Sanofi and GSK to sign up with forces in unprecedented vaccine collaboration against COVID-19
Sanofi and GSK revealed that they had signed a letter of intent to participate in a collaboration to establish an adjuvanted vaccine for COVID-19 using ingenious technology from both companies to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The S-protein COVID-19 antigen (based upon recombinant DNA technology) will be contributed by Sanofi. A specific genetic match is produced by this innovation which pairs to proteins present on the surface of the coronavirus COVID-19. The DNA of the baculovirus expression platform – the basis of Sanofi’s qualified recombinant influenza product in the United States has been incorporated with the DNA sequence coding for this antigen.
The proven pandemic adjuvant technology will be contributed to collaboration by GSK. Adjuvant technology can play a very important role in such a pandemic. This technology may reduce the quantity of vaccination protein needed per dosage and enable even more vaccine doses to be manufactured and therefore contributing to protecting more individuals.
“It is evident that no single company can go it alone as the world faces this pandemic. This is the reason Sanofi is continuing to enhance its proficiency and resources with
our peers, such as GSK, with the goal to develop and supply adequate amounts of vaccines that will certainly aid in bringing an end to this pandemic,” said Paul Hudson, CEO Sanofi.“This collaboration brings two of the biggest vaccine companies in the world together. Our company believes we can speed up the international effort to establish a vaccine to shield as many people as possible from this virus by integrating our scientific research and technologies”, said Emma Walmsley, CEO GSK.
Many of the vaccine available today is based on the combination of a protein-based antigen with an adjuvant. In some vaccines, to boost the immune response, the adjuvant is added and it has been revealed to produce a stronger as well as long-lasting immunity against infections than when only the vaccine is used. This technology can also enhance the probability of providing an effective vaccine.
Phase I clinical trials are expected to be launched in the second half of 2020 by the companies. The companies aim to complete the development required for availability by the second half of 2021 if the phase I trials are successful and subject to regulatory considerations.Â
Development of the recombinant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate is being supported by funding and partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), US – As per previously revealed by Sanofi. The firms plan to discuss funding assistance with various other governments and worldwide organizations for prioritizing global access.
“To make availability of coronavirus vaccine immediately, strategic partnerships among vaccine sector leaders are essential. The adjuvanted recombinant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate holds the prospective to reduce the vaccine dosage to provide vaccination to a greater number of individuals to end this pandemic, as well as help the world to become prepared or perhaps prevent future outbreaks of coronavirus, ” said Rick A. Bright, Ph.D., Director, BARDA.
The firms have established a Joint Collaboration Task Force, co-chaired by Sanofi and Roger Connor, President, GSK, and David Loew, Global Head of Vaccines. To seek every chance to speed up the development of the vaccine candidate, the Task Force will mobilize resources from both companies.
Taking in a note of extraordinary humanitarian and also the economic challenge of the pandemic, both firms think that international accessibility to COVID-19 vaccinations is the priority and also is dedicated to making any vaccines that are developed via the collaboration affordable to the public via mechanisms that offer reasonable access for individuals in all nations.
This new partnership will mark a substantial milestone in Sanofi’s and GSK’s ongoing contributions to fight this pandemic. The companies have entered in a Product Transfer Agreement to enable them to begin the work together as soon as possible. The collaboration’s definitive terms are anticipated to be settled over in the following few weeks.
Author: Sruthi S
