Novartis re-entered vaccine making on Thursday, inking a manufacturing deal with a U.S. team whose COVID-19 candidate relies on technology similar to that of the Swiss drugmaker's $2.1 million-per-patient gene therapy, Zolgensma.
ZURICH - Novartis re-entered vaccine making on Thursday, inking a manufacturing deal with a U.S. team whose COVID-19 candidate relies on technology similar to that of the Swiss drugmaker’s $2.1 million-per-patient gene therapy, Zolgensma.
Human trials are planned this year, said Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear, which are behind the early stage project, adding vaccine manufacturing at Novartis’s AveXis gene therapy unit will start before Monday. Zolgensma, developed by AveXis for deadly spinal muscular atrophy, works similarly, delivering a copy of a missing gene packed inside AAV to babies whose muscles would otherwise not develop.
“When we evaluated the science of it, we were really enthusiastic,” Lennon told Reuters. “And we believe we’re one of the few companies that actually could provide the product in the time frame...given the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Who is spreading COVID-19 misinformation and whyAlways consider the source of the information. Ask yourself: Is the information from a trusted and authoritative entity? If not, then proceed with caution.
Read more »
Questions about COVID-19 test accuracy raised across the testing spectrumDiagnostic tests are no longer in short supply, but questions about their accuracy are growing.
Read more »
Outdoor Swimming Pools Not a COVID-19 Risk: ExpertTaking a dip should pose little risk of coronavirus infection, but there could be risks at indoor pools from crowds, poor air circulation, and contaminated surfaces such as handrails.
Read more »