LONDON: Oxford University candidate Covid-19 vaccine has a better immune response when using a full-dose regimen instead of a full-dose followed by a half-dose booster, the university, citing data from the first trials.
The developers of the vaccine candidate, which has been licensed to the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, have already published post-phase test results that show greater efficacy when following a medium dose with a full dose, compared to a dose regimen. complete. However, more work needs to be done to affirm this result.
The latest details of the Phase I and 2 clinical trials published on Thursday made no reference to the medium-dose / full-dose regimen, which Oxford said had been “unplanned” but approved by regulators.
Once seen as the leader in the development of a coronavirus vaccine, the British team has been overtaken by American pharmacist Pfizer, whose shots were launched this month in Britain and the United States.
Previously published data from the last phase 3 trials showed that the efficacy was 62% for full-dose trial participants, but 90% more robust for a smaller subgroup given half and then a full dose.
In its statement Thursday, the university said it had explored two dosing regimens in early-stage trials, a full-dose / full-dose regimen and a full-dose / mid-dose regimen, investigated as a possible “savings” strategy. of dose “.
“It is shown that booster doses of the vaccine induce stronger antibody responses than a single dose, the standard dose / standard dose induces the best response,” the university said in a statement.
The vaccine “stimulates the widespread functions of antibodies and T cells,” he said.
The developers of the vaccine candidate, which has been licensed to the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, have already published post-phase test results that show greater efficacy when following a medium dose with a full dose, compared to a dose regimen. complete. However, more work needs to be done to affirm this result.
The latest details of the Phase I and 2 clinical trials published on Thursday made no reference to the medium-dose / full-dose regimen, which Oxford said had been “unplanned” but approved by regulators.
Once seen as the leader in the development of a coronavirus vaccine, the British team has been overtaken by American pharmacist Pfizer, whose shots were launched this month in Britain and the United States.
Previously published data from the last phase 3 trials showed that the efficacy was 62% for full-dose trial participants, but 90% more robust for a smaller subgroup given half and then a full dose.
In its statement Thursday, the university said it had explored two dosing regimens in early-stage trials, a full-dose / full-dose regimen and a full-dose / mid-dose regimen, investigated as a possible “savings” strategy. of dose “.
“It is shown that booster doses of the vaccine induce stronger antibody responses than a single dose, the standard dose / standard dose induces the best response,” the university said in a statement.
The vaccine “stimulates the widespread functions of antibodies and T cells,” he said.