코로나19 백신 개발의 현황…美 존슨앤드존슨의 얀센 ‘빠르면 내년 1월’ 도입
How close are we to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and, who would get it first.
Janssen, one of the leading candidates is looking at early next year.
Choi Wonjong spoke to Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical unit to learn more.
With the pandemic continuing to linger, it has left the world wondering just when a safe and effective vaccine will be available.
Dr. Paul Kershaw, the Vice President of Medical Affairs for Asia Pacific from pharmaceutical company ‘Janssen’, says a vaccine is much closer than the public may think and could even be ready as soon as next year.
“We expect depending on the early results that are emerged from those phase 3 studies to be able to have vaccines available for use by the public in the beginning of 2021.”
The company says the final stage of a three-phase trial is set for in September this year. But this particular vaccine development is different from others.
It’s called AdVac technology, and this is how it works.
Scientists create an activated virus that carries what’s called ‘spike protein’ and is inserted it into human bodies.
This creates a robust immune response that protects against virus exposure.
“The reason the spike protein is so important, and a lot of other companies are choosing the same,… unlike other viruses that mutated over time like flu, the spike protein doesn’t seem to change a lot.”
Worldwide distribution can follow once the trials are completed.
However, Dr. Kershaw says it’s not about which country gets the vaccine first, rather who needs it the most…like health care workers and those who live in active COVID-19 hot spots, including South Korea.
“We are working very diligently with countries all around the world including S. Korean gov’t. We are currently having discussion with gov’t officials to talk about how we can quickly make the vaccine available.”
The company has set a maximum price of 10 U.S. dollars per dose, and one shot of the vaccine can provide enough immunity to last for the duration of the pandemic.
However, some challenges still remain, such as proving that the vaccine is safe.
He added that this COVID-19 vaccine development is a unique collaboration between companies and governments, and unlike anything that he has seen before. He’s hoping this remains the case even after the pandemic ends.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.
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