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.
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