AstraZeneca Plc stated on Tuesday it’s working with Oxford College to provide a vaccine for the Omicron coronavirus variant, becoming a member of different vaccine-makers who wish to develop the variant-specific vaccine.
“Along with Oxford College, we’ve got taken preliminary steps in producing an Omicron variant vaccine, in case it’s wanted and shall be knowledgeable by rising knowledge,” a spokesperson for the corporate stated in a press release.
Learn extra:
Provinces take new measures to stem impression of Omicron variant
Oxford didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark outdoors enterprise hours.
The Monetary Occasions first reported the information, citing Sandy Douglas, a analysis group chief at Oxford.
“Adenovirus-based vaccines (resembling that made by Oxford/AstraZeneca) may in precept be used to answer any new variant extra quickly than some could beforehand have realized,” Douglas advised FT.
A lab-study final week discovered that AstraZeneca’s antibody cocktail Evusheld retained neutralizing exercise in opposition to the Omicron variant.
Vaccine makers Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna additionally beforehand stated they had been engaged on Omicron- particular COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna stated hopes to begin scientific trials early subsequent 12 months.
View hyperlink »