This French firm’s more variant-proof coronavirus vaccine could help in long-term fight against Covid-19
- Valneva’s shot is the only candidate in clinical trials in Europe that uses a technology involving an inactivated version of the whole virus it’s targeting
- The first participant in its phase three trials will be dosed this week. If successful, it will probably be used as a winter booster for older British adults
The company, Valneva SE, has a vaccine that could be more variant-proof, giving it an edge over other shots in what may be an annual campaign against a disease that’s already killed more than 3 million people.
The first participant in its phase three trials will be dosed this week. If successful, that could lead to an approved shot in the fall.
Valneva’s shot is the only candidate in clinical trials in Europe that uses a tried-and-true vaccine technology involving an inactivated version of the whole virus it’s targeting. Inactivated vaccines – a century-old approach adopted for flu and polio – take a sample of the disease that has been killed and use it to stimulate an immune response without creating infection.
The company already has a deal with Britain to supply up to 190 million doses. Kate Bingham, former head of the UK’s vaccine task force, says that if the shot is successful it will probably be used as a winter booster for older adults.