translated from Spanish: Covid-19: AstraZeneca and Oxford vaccine could be presented to regulators this year

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca participates with the University of Oxford in the development of a potential coronavirus vaccine, which appears safe and generates antibodies, according to findings from the first tests reported last July.
During clinical trials conducted by Oxford experts, 1,077 volunteers showed that an injection led them to produce antibodies and white cells that can fight the virus.
Currently, this possible vaccine is in phase 3 of clinical trials, the last before receiving its approval from regulatory authorities.
Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said Tuesday (25.08.2020) that if cases quickly accumulate in clinical trials, scientists could get enough data to present to regulators before the end of the year.
Once this step was conflued, a complete data evaluation process would begin, he pointed out to the British broadcaster BBC.
Trump wants express clearance
Beforehand, countries such as the United States, Japan and members of the European Union have purchased millions of doses of the possible vaccine from AstraZeneca. According to the Financial Times, US President Donald Trump plans to speed up the vaccine approval process to make it available before the November 3 election.
In this regard, Pollard said that also in an emergency use authorization process it is necessary to first demonstrate that the vaccine actually works.
AstraZeneca begins clinical trials of a drug
In addition, AstraZeneca reported on Tuesday that it has started clinical trials of a new drug to prevent and treat Covid-19. The drug, known as AZD7442, is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies (identical antibodies).
According to the firm, the trial, involving 48 volunteers aged 18 to 55 in the UK, aims to establish its safety and the reaction of this medicine in the body.
This trial, he added, is an “important milestone” in the development of the drug as it has the potential to be preventive for people most exposed to coronavirus, as well as the possibility of treating patients already ill with COVID-19.

Original source in Spanish