West Lothian vaccine vital in covid fight
The latest tests reveal West Lothian’s Covid-19 vaccine could be vital in tackling new variants of the virus.
The French biotech firm Valneva are producing the VLA2001 vaccine at their Livingston plant and this week announced that phase one and two of their trials were a success.
The results showed that the vaccine produces a strong immune response and it is now expected to be used as a booster, and to help tackle new variants.
Thomas Lingelbach, Chief Executive Officer of Valneva, said: “We are extremely pleased with these results which take us a step closer to providing an inactivated vaccine to help the global fight against Covid-19. The world needs multiple vaccines as well as booster options. Given the potential advantages often associated with inactivated whole virus vaccines, we believe that VLA2001 has an important role to play. This includes potential modifications to the vaccine to address variants, using our existing manufacturing process. I want to thank everyone involved in the ongoing work. We could not have achieved this milestone without them.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said: “The UK Government has funded these clinical trials and it is fantastic to see Valneva’s vaccine produces a strong immune response. This vaccine will be made onshore in Livingston in Scotland, giving another boost to British life science, and if approved will play an important role in protecting our communities. I look forward to seeing the results of the upcoming phase 3 trial.”
In the most recent study three dose levels of VLA2001 (low, medium, high), based on a schedule of two doses with vaccinations three weeks apart, were evaluated in 153 healthy adults aged 18 to 55 years.
Based on the succesful study, Valneva plans to commence a Phase 3 clinical trial by the end of April 2021, subject to regulatory approval.
Working closely with the government to review plans including potential variant vaccine development, Valneva has believes that the timeline for delivery of 60 million doses of vaccine to the UK Government will extend into the first quarter of 2022.