The first southern hemisphere trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine have begun in Melbourne today, with preliminary results expected by July.
Nucleus Network — a clinical research organisation — will be in charge of the early stages of testing the vaccine NVX-CoV2373, before the trial expands to Brisbane. 130 participants aged between 18 and 59 years old will partake in the study.
“As the first human trial in the southern hemisphere, and one of only a handful of COVID-19 human trials worldwide, I am delighted Victoria is again at the forefront in leadership and excellence in medical research,” Victoria’s Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research, Frank McGuire shared in a statement.
US biotech company Novavax is developing the treatment. The vaccine aims to enhance the immune response and stimulate high levels of neutralising antibodies within participants. In a similar vein to the vaccines used to against diseases such as HPV, Hepatitis B and shingles.
“Administering our vaccine in the first participants of this clinical trial is a significant achievement, bringing us one step closer toward addressing the fundamental need for a vaccine in the fight against the global COVID‑19 pandemic,” Novavax CEO and president Stanley C. Erck said in a statement.
Novavax received $388 million in funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness — an organisation founded by Bill Gates. The Maryland-based company is one of several biotech companies concerned with developing a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that triggered coronavirus.
As Forbes report, two other companies, Moderna and BioNTech have already begun clinical trials of vaccines.
Novavox hopes that by the years end, it could potentially produce 100 million doses of the vaccine. The company will begin producing the vaccine ahead of time, so if the trial is successful, it will be readily accessible.
