In an unprecedented tie-up unveiled Tuesday, the companies are joining forces to work on a potential COVID-19 vaccine. They aim to start human testing in the second half of this year, and if all goes well, to file for potential approvals by the second half of 2021. They’re also planning to build manufacturing capacity “at risk”—essentially, plowing money and resources into scaling up production even before a vaccine proves itself, GSK CEO Emma Walmsley said on a Tuesday morning conference call.
J&J’s COVID-19 Vaccine Web Series
Starting Tuesday, April 14 at 12 p.m. EDT, Johnson & Johnson will run an eight episode social-first show titled “The Road to a Vaccine” aimed at helping viewers to understand the steps in the process involved developing a COVID-19 vaccine. Hosted by prominent journalist Lisa Ling, the series will feature guests from the medical community, including J&J’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Paul Stoffels as well as other experts and front line healthcare workers. In addition, the series will explore larger topics related to the pandemic.
Maine Med Joins Clinical Trials for Potential Drug to Fight COVID-19
Maine Medical Center has joined two worldwide human clinical trials for remdesivir, a possible treatment for moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. The Portland hospital enrolled its first patient with severe symptoms in the clinical trial on April 9, and Maine now has three patients enrolled in the study. No patients at Maine Med with moderate cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus are yet enrolled.