GlaxoSmithKline moves another step closer to finally getting a Covid vaccine approved as drug giant starts phase three trials of jab

• The trials will involve 4,000 people from several countries including South Korea
• The vaccine candidate will be compared against the AstraZeneca shot
• Britain has not ordered doses of this Covid vaccine from GSK and SK Bioscience 

A Covid vaccine developed by British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and South Korean firm SK Bioscience has entered phase three trials.

The companies made the announcement today and said the trials would involve 4,000 people from several countries.

Their jab — dubbed GBP510 — will also be compared against the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine during the trials.

If it is found to prevent Covid infection, hospitalisation and death, the vaccine will be rolled out to poorer nations through the World Health Organization’s Covax scheme. 

Early clinical tests found the vaccine sparked Covid-fighting antibodies in every volunteer who received the jab.

Britain has ordered no doses of this vaccine, but it did order 60million doses of the Covid vaccine by GSK and French pharmaceutical company Sanofi. 

Chief Scientific Advisor Patrick Vallance previously held shares in GSK and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam was previously a consultant for the company.

GSK — one of the largest vaccine makers in the world — is also developing a ‘next generation’ mRNA Covid vaccine with Germany company CureVac. 

GlaxoSmithKline has started the late-stage trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate with South Korean firm SK Bioscience (Andy Buchanan/PA)

Phase three trials are the final stage of evaluation that a vaccine must go through before it can be rolled out to the public.

Medical regulators use data from these to determine whether a vaccine is safe to use and effective at stopping infection, hospitalisation and death from a virus. 

GSK and SK Bioscience’s vaccine uses Covid antigens — the spike protein the virus uses to invade cells — made by bacteria or yeast.

In the jab these have been mixed with an adjuvant mixture which scientists say will spark a stronger Covid response.

The AstraZeneca vaccine uses a weakened cold virus that has Covid antigens attached to its surface. 

Results from the phase three trials are expected no later than June next year.

But the trials may be blocked on ethical grounds in countries where a safe and effective Covid vaccine is already available.

Thomas Breuer, chief global health officer, GSK, said: ‘While many countries have made good progress with vaccination, there remains a need for accessible and affordable Covid-19 vaccines to ensure equitable access and to protect people across the world.

‘We are pleased to contribute with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant and to be working with SK to deliver the vaccine at scale via Covax if it is approved.’

SK Bioscience chief executive Jaeyong Ahn said: ‘We are grateful that we were able to advance to the Phase three study with the unprecedented support of global initiatives, including GSK, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

‘Taking this important step towards overcoming the global pandemic situation, SK and GSK will bring our technical expertise together for the development of an adjuvanted protein-based vaccine candidate, GBP510.’

GSK has already committed to manufacturing up to a billion doses of its vaccine with CureVac, which entered stage three trials in December. Results are expected to be announced later this year.

Their study is one of the first to compare two Covid vaccines.

In April, Valneva launched a trial to compare its Covid jab to the one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. 

More than 48million first doses of the Covid vaccine have been rolled out in the UK, reaching almost 90 per cent of over-16s. And nearly 80 per cent have got two doses.

South Korea’s roll-out has been more lethargic, with around 30 per cent of people having received both doses so far. 

Which vaccines have already been approved for use across the world? 

The below vaccines have been approved for use by the World Health Organization.

Pfizer Covid vaccine (pictured)

• Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid vaccine

How does it work? This jab uses two doses of mRNA.

How effective is the jab? It is 95 per cent effective against infections and 100 per cent effective against serious disease or death, according to results from stage three trials. 

When was it approved for use in the UK? December 2020.

How many doses has the UK ordered? 135million doses to date. 

AstraZeneca Covid vaccine (pictured)

• AstraZeneca and Oxford University Covid vaccine

How does it work? This two-dose jab uses a weakened cold virus.

How effective is the jab? It is 76 per cent effective against infections with Covid and 100 per cent effective against serious disease or death, according to stage three clinical trials.

When was it approved for use in the UK? December 2020. This was revised in April to recommend an alternative for under-30s, and in May to recommend an alternative for under-40s.

How many doses has the UK ordered? 100million.

Johnson and Johnson, or Janssen, Covid vaccine (pictured)

•  Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine

How does it work? This single dose jab uses a weakened cold virus.

How effective is the jab? It is 67 per cent effective against infections with Covid and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to phase three clinical trials.

When was it approved for use in the UK? May 2021.

How many doses has the UK ordered? 20million doses. They are due to start arriving in the second half of this year.

Moderna Covid vaccine (pictured)

• Moderna Covid vaccine

How does it work? This two-shot jab uses mRNA.

How effective is the jab? It is 90 per cent effective against Covid infections, and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to phase three clinical trials.

When was it approved for use in the UK? January 2021

How many doses has the UK ordered? 17million.

Sinopharm Covid vaccine (pictured)

• Sinopharm Covid vaccine

How does it work? This two-dose jab uses an inactivated Covid virus.

How effective is the jab? It is 73 per cent effective against Covid infections and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

When was it approved for use in the UK? This Chinese-made vaccine has not been approved for use in Britain.

How many doses has the UK ordered? None.

• Sinovac Covid vaccine

Sinovac Covid vaccine (pictured)

How does it work? This two-dose jab uses an inactivated Covid virus.

How effective is the jab? It is 56 per cent effective at preventing Covid infections and 84 per cent effective at preventing serious disease and death, according to a study by the University of Chile.

When was it approved for use in the UK? This Chinese-made vaccine has not been approved for use in Britain.

How many doses has the UK ordered? None.

Source: World Health Organization and various studies.

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