GSK Creates COVID-19 Vaccine With ‘100% Efficacy’ Against Severe Illness

GlaxoSmithKline, a leader in the world of pharmaceuticals, has partnered with Sanofi to create a COVID-19 vaccine that it claims has a 100% protection rate against severe disease and hospitalizations.

Unlike the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna, GSK and Sanofi developed one based on a long-used technique, known as the protein subunit. 

According to Interesting Engineering, scientists make use of harmless protein fragments from the virus to “train” the body’s immune system so it can fight back effectively should it come up against COVID-19.

The fragments are synthesized in other organisms, such as yeast or bacteria, and is then harvested and purified before being mixed with an adjuvant that triggers an immune response when the vaccine is injected into a patient. 

While this method is more costly and takes longer to develop, it has been used to create various successful vaccines, including for Hepatitis-B. 

Furthermore, vaccines made using protein subunits do not require ultra-cold storage, and can be kept in regular refrigerators, making it a more viable option for lower-income countries with fewer facilities to store the vials.

CNN had reported that during GSK and Sanofi’s initial trials, the vaccine did not result in a robust immune response in certain adults. This resulted in the companies having to reformulate the shot, only beginning Phase 3 trials in May 2021.

Now, in a press statement, the duo have released preliminary data from trials involving over 10,000 individuals in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US.

Findings show that two doses of the vaccine had 100% efficacy in preventing severe illness from the virus, including hospitalizations. It was 75% effective at preventing moderate to severe symptoms.

Additionally, the study found the vaccine prevented any COVID-19 symptoms in 58% of subjects. 

This number may be lower than with other manufacturer’s trials, but the companies point out it was conducted when multiple variants were present in the community, not just the first bout of the virus.

As most individuals in the US and Europe have already undergone the first two doses of vaccination, the firms are looking into using the new vaccine as a booster jab.

“We are confident that this vaccine can play an important role as we continue to address this pandemic and prepare for the post-pandemic period,” said Roger Connor, President of GSK Vaccines.

[via Interesting Engineering and Sanofi, cover image via Oier Aso Poza | Dreamstime.com]