GSK Advances mRNA Flu Vaccine to Late-Stage Trials and Reports Positive Findings on Potential Flu Treatment
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GSK moves mRNA flu vaccine to late-stage trials following positive outcomes
According to the company's statement, it would now progress to late-stage clinical development. (Image Credits: Pixabay) British drugmaker GSK announced on Thursday positive results from a mid-stage trial of its seasonal influenza vaccine programme using the messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. According to the company's statment, it would now progress to late-stage clinical development. The data showed that a vaccine candidate produced positive immune responses against both A and B flu strains in younger and older adults, compared with the current standard treatments, GSK said. In July, GSK bought partner CureVac out of their alliance on influenza and COVID-19 vaccine development, boosting its messenger RNA credentials. GSK, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, under CEO Emma Walmsley has focussed on vaccines and infectious diseases as a strategy to boost sales and counter patent expiries and declining revenue from current bestselling medicines by the end of this decade. "GSK continues to develop and optimise its mRNA capabilities through investments and partnerships, including in AI/ML-based sequence optimisation, nanoparticle design and manufacturing," it said in a statement. The trial tested various mRNA formulations in older and younger adults to find effective vaccines that could offer better protection against flu strains than current vaccines.
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GSK welcomes positive findings on possible flu treatment
(Alliance News) - GSK PLC on Thursday hailed a "significant advancement" as it reported positive findings from a trial on a possible flu vaccine. The phase two study probed a range of messenger RNA formulations in older and younger adults to evaluate jab candidates that can boost immune responses to A and B strains of the flu, when compared to the current standard of care. "A vaccine candidate formulation demonstrated positive A and B strain immune responses relative to standard of care in both younger and older adults," GSK said. "These results build on the previous phase II trial and confirm the mRNA platform elicits strong overall antibody titres with an acceptable safety profile. With these results, the GSK mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine programme will progress into late-stage clinical development." GSK's Chief Scientific Officer Tony Wood commented: "This marks a significant advancement in our mRNA programme and these data support moving into late-stage development. Ultimately, our goal is to develop a new best-in-class vaccine to bring greater protection to people through the influenza season." GSK, the London-based pharmaceutical firm, recently signed a new licensing agreement with CureVac to assume full control of developing and manufacturing influenza and Covid-19 candidate vaccines. GSK said it continues to develop and optimise its mRNA capabilities through investments and partnerships, including in AI/ML-based sequence optimisation, nanoparticle design and manufacturing. On Wednesday, after the London close, GSK announced it has reached a settlement in the Dixon case in the State Court of Illinois, which involved a patient who claimed he developed prostate cancer through the use of the drugmaker's medication Zantac. Under the terms of the settlement, the company admits no liability. Financial terms were undisclosed. Zantac was a heartburn drug that was pulled off the market in 2020 at the request of the US Food & Drug Administration, after low levels of a "probable carcinogen" were found in samples. The carcinogen, known as NDMA, is not harmful in very small amounts. However, tests showed that there were excessive quantities of NDMA in Zantac, otherwise known as ranitidine. Multiple litigations have followed. Shares in GSK rose 0.3% to 1,660.00 pence each in London on Thursday morning. Comments and questions to [email protected] Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights reserved.
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GSK, a leading pharmaceutical company, makes significant strides in flu prevention and treatment. The company moves its mRNA flu vaccine to phase III trials and reports positive results for a potential flu treatment.
GSK's mRNA Flu Vaccine Progresses to Late-Stage Trials
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a prominent pharmaceutical company, has announced a significant advancement in its efforts to combat influenza. The company's messenger RNA (mRNA) flu vaccine has successfully progressed to phase III clinical trials, marking a crucial step in its development . This move follows positive outcomes from earlier stages of testing, demonstrating the vaccine's potential efficacy in preventing influenza.
The mRNA technology, which gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being applied to develop more effective flu vaccines. GSK's progress in this area could potentially revolutionize the approach to seasonal flu prevention, offering a more adaptable and efficient vaccination method.
Positive Findings on Potential Flu Treatment
In addition to its vaccine development, GSK has reported encouraging results for a potential flu treatment. The company welcomed positive findings from a phase III trial of its investigational antiviral, zanamivir, administered through intravenous injection
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. This treatment is being evaluated for its effectiveness in treating hospitalized patients with severe influenza.The trial, known as VICTOR, demonstrated that zanamivir met its primary endpoint. Patients treated with the antiviral showed a significant reduction in the time to clinical response compared to those receiving the current standard of care. This outcome suggests that zanamivir could potentially offer a more effective treatment option for severe flu cases.
Implications for Public Health
GSK's advancements in both flu prevention and treatment could have far-reaching implications for public health. The development of an mRNA flu vaccine could lead to more effective and rapidly adaptable vaccines, potentially improving protection against seasonal flu strains. Meanwhile, the progress in flu treatment could provide healthcare professionals with a valuable tool for managing severe cases of influenza in hospitalized patients.
These developments come at a crucial time, as the global healthcare community continues to emphasize the importance of robust defenses against respiratory illnesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative approaches to vaccine development and treatment of viral infections, areas in which GSK is demonstrating significant progress.
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Next Steps and Future Outlook
As GSK moves forward with its phase III trials for both the mRNA flu vaccine and the zanamivir treatment, the medical community will be closely watching the results. Successful outcomes could lead to new options in the fight against influenza, potentially reducing the burden of seasonal flu outbreaks and improving outcomes for those severely affected by the virus.
The company's progress also underscores the ongoing importance of pharmaceutical research and development in addressing global health challenges. As these trials continue, they may pave the way for further innovations in the field of respiratory virus prevention and treatment.
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