GSK GSK plc

By Ian Walker

GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Sanofi SA said Tuesday that they have signed a preliminary agreement to develop an adjuvanted vaccine for the new coronavirus, or Covid-19.

The pharmaceutical giants said they hope to start Phase 1 clinical trails in the second half of this year, and if approved by regulators expect the vaccine to be available by the second half of 2021.

"This collaboration brings two of the world's largest vaccines companies together. By combining our science and our technologies, we believe we can help accelerate the global effort to develop a vaccine to protect as many people as possible from Covid-19," Glaxo Chief Executive Emma Walmsley said.

Sanofi Chief Executive Paul Hudson said the goal is to create and supply sufficient quantities of vaccines that will help stop the virus.

"As the world faces this unprecedented global health crisis, it is clear that no one company can go it alone," Mr. Hudson said.

An adjuvant is added to some vaccines to enhance the immune response, and has been shown to create a stronger and longer lasting immunity against infections than the vaccine alone. It can also improve the likelihood of delivering an effective vaccine that can be manufactured at scale.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 14, 2020 07:14 ET (11:14 GMT)

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