Topline
Three doses of Valneva’s Covid-19 vaccine neutralized the omicron coronavirus variant in early laboratory studies, the French biotech announced Wednesday, boosting its share price and adding to the stock of vaccines including Pfizer and Moderna that are effective against omicron as it eyes regulatory approval in Europe in the coming months.
Three shots of Valneva’s vaccine neutralized the omicron variant in lab tests.
Key Facts
The majority (87%) of blood samples from 30 participants in the firm’s clinical trial contained neutralizing antibodies—an indicator of immunity—against omicron, the company said in a statement.
All of the samples had neutralizing antibodies against the original virus strain and the delta variant, Valneva said, though neutralization against delta and omicron was 2.7- and 16.7-fold lower, relative to the original strain.
The results complement earlier trials on two doses of the vaccine and demonstrate the shot’s “ability to address currently circulating variants of concern,” said Valneva’s chief medical officer Juan Carlos Jaramillo.
Valneva shares jumped nearly 20% following the announcement on Thursday morning.
What To Watch For
Regulatory approval. Valneva expects the shot to receive its first approvals in the first three months of 2022 and the company has been providing data to the European Medicines Agency, the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Health Regulatory Authority in Bahrain.
Key Background
The Valneva vaccine—which uses an inactivated form of the virus—is developed using a more traditional vaccine technology than popular shots from the likes of Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca and a possible boon to encouraging vaccination in those wary of the newer technologies. The company has deals to supply 60 million doses to the European Union and 1 million to Bahrain, subject to approval, with deliveries expected to begin within the next few months. In September, the British government terminated a 190 million dose deal with the firm for allegedly breaching supply commitments, something the company strongly denies.
Further Reading
Valneva Covid vaccine could be as effective as Oxford jab, study suggests (Guardian)
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2022/01/20/valneva-shares-jump-after-early-study-show-covid-19-vaccine-effective-against-omicron/