SINGAPORE: The first participants of an early-stage COVID-19 vaccine trial have been given the potential vaccine, said Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings on Tuesday (Aug 11).
The potential vaccine is jointly developed by Arcturus and Singapore's Duke-NUS Medical School. Results from the trial are expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe company is among several drugmakers racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine for the new coronavirus that has killed more than 735,000 people globally.
In April, Arcturus said preclinical data testing of its experimental vaccine, known as ARCT-021, showed the vaccine candidate could trigger an immune response to the virus.
[h=3]READ: Singapore scientists to start human trials of COVID-19 vaccine in August
READ: On a fast track like never before - The COVID-19 vaccine effort and 5 vital questions[/h]"Based on preclinical immunogenicity data, our self-replicating mRNA-based investigational vaccine could have a highly differentiated safety and efficacy profile, and may potentially allow vaccination at very low doses, and with a single administration," Arcturus chief executive officer Joseph Payne said in a statement.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe current trial includes two parts that will assess ARCT-021's dosing, safety and effectiveness in participants including older adults aged between 56 and 80 years.
ARCT-021, like Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine candidate, uses mRNA, or messenger RNA, to inoculate against the coronavirus.
Shares of the San Diego, California-based company rose about 4 per cent in trading before the bell.
[h=3]READ: Indonesia starts phase 3 trial for COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac reports phase 2 details[/h][h=3]BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments[/h]Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
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