The hope of a vaccine by the end of the year is still possible.
'Clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine from AstraZeneca and (the University) of Oxford have resumed in the UK after the Medicines Regulatory Authority (MHRA) confirmed that it did not show any danger, ”the group said.
The group had to suspend testing on Wednesday after the appearance of a "potentially unexplained illness", possibly a serious side effect, in a participant in the UK.
An independent committee was then set up to assess the risks associated with the vaccine.
He "has completed his investigation and told the MHRA it is safe for testing to start again in the UK," AstraZeneca said.
One of the most advanced projects
AstraZeneca is the industrial partner of the UK University of Oxford, and their vaccine is one of the most advanced Western projects, tested on tens of thousands of volunteers in the UK, Brazil, South Africa and since August 31, the United States, in what is called phase 3 of the trials, the last, to verify safety and efficacy.
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During a conference held online Thursday, the group's general manager Pascal Soriot said that such a break during testing was nothing abnormal.
It had more resonance given the interest around this vaccine, considered one of the most promising in the world.
He also estimated that it was still possible to get "a vaccine by the end of the year" or "the beginning of next year".
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In its last point dated Wednesday, the WHO lists 35 “vaccine candidates” evaluated in clinical trials on humans around the world.
Nine are already at the last stage, or are preparing to enter.
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) estimates "that it could take at least until early 2021 for a vaccine against Covid-19 to be ready for approval and available in sufficient quantities" for global use.