By Sheila Mckenzie-
The UK’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine project currently being tested by the University of Oxford, has shown some promising results in a small study on monkeys.
There was high optimism today after a vaccine developed in Britain showed promising signs in trials on monkeys.
The University of Oxford’s jab which also examined mice, some of the animals had developed Covid-19 antibodies within two weeks, but all had developed resistance to bug by 28 days.
The University said that within 28 days of being vaccinated, all of the animals had COVID-19 antibodies – produced by the body to give it some immunity from the virus. Oxford University are yet to explain how thee tests went with mice and how any differences between the findings in mice and monkeys may impact on the interpretation of the overall testing.
Researchers said the primates successfully fought off the virus before it could penetrate deep into their lungs and become deadly, according to researchers.
Researchers say the process has been made easier because the virus is not mutating and is similar to other viruses seen in the past.
Good News
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine pharmacoepidemiology professor Stephen Evans described the animal data was ‘good news’. Evans was quoted as saying: “It is one of the hurdles to be passed by the Oxford vaccine and it has cleared it well.”
The professor also noted that no evidence of immune-enhanced disease, where a vaccine makes the disease worse, was reassuring.
Evans added: “This was a definite theoretical concern for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and finding no evidence for it in this study is very encouraging.”Results from the human trial are expected next month, with plans to start late-stage trials by the middle of this year. As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will carry out the development and global manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine.
Agreement
AstraZeneca signed an agreement with the University of Oxford last month to develop and distribute the university’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. AstraZeneca will carry out the development and global manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine.
The recombinant adenovirus vaccine, being developed by Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group at the university, uses a viral vector based. Human trials are expected next month, with plans to start late-stage trials by the middle of this year.