Sanofi, GSK develop vaccine with ‘100% efficacy against severe COVID disease’

Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), European drugmakers, have announced positive results from late-stage clinical testing of their new COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine is protein-based which means it uses a modified version of the virus’ spike protein to prompt an immune response.

This kind of vaccine can be stored at refrigerator temperatures, making it easier to store and transport in areas that do not have access to ultra-cold storage. The vaccine is given in two doses delivered about three weeks apart.

In a statement on Wednesday, the companies said the phase three efficacy trials showed that two doses of the vaccine provided 100 percent efficacy against severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalisations; 75 percent efficacy against moderate or severe COVID-19 disease, and 57.9 percent efficacy against any symptomatic COVID-19 disease.

They said while sequencing is still in progress, early data indicate 77 percent efficacy against any Delta variant-associated symptomatic COVID-19 disease, in line with expected vaccine effectiveness.

A separate trial showed that the vaccine boosted antibody levels against the virus 18 to 30 times across all age groups, when used in people who had been given two doses of other vaccines.

Thomas Triomphe, the executive vice-president of Sanofi Vaccines, said the Sanofi-GSK vaccine demonstrates a universal ability to boost all platforms and across all ages.

“We also observed robust efficacy of the vaccine as a primary series in today’s challenging epidemiological environment. No other global phase 3 efficacy study has been undertaken during this period with so many variants of concern, including Omicron, and these efficacy data are similar to the recent clinical data from authorised vaccines,” he said.

Roger Connor, president of GSK vaccine, said: “We are confident that this vaccine can play an important role as we continue to address this pandemic and prepare for the post-pandemic period.”

The companies plan to file for approval from regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.