Oxford Uni and AZ collaborate on COVID-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca and Oxford university are partnering on the potential recombinant adenovirus vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, which is being developed by the latter’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group and will hopefully prevent COVID-19 infection from SARS-CoV-2. Phase I clinical trials started last week to study safety and efficacy in healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 55, and data from the trial might be available as soon as June. AZ’s part in the partnership is the development and global manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine.

AZ’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, said: “As COVID-19 continues its grip on the world, the need for a vaccine to defeat the virus is urgent. This collaboration brings together the University of Oxford’s world-class expertise in vaccinology and AstraZeneca’s global development, manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Our hope is that, by joining forces, we can accelerate the globalisation of a vaccine to combat the virus and protect people from the deadliest pandemic in a generation.”

AZ’s Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, Mene Pangalos, said: “The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca have a longstanding relationship to advance basic research and we are hugely excited to be working with them on advancing a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 around the world. We are looking forward to working with the University of Oxford and innovative companies such as Vaccitech, as part of our new partnership.”