1. Scrip
  2. >>Business

Harvest Time? Medicago And GSK Expect Summer Readout For Plant-Based COVID Vaccine

Vaccine Grown In Greenhouse Crops

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Medicago’s vaccine has generated a strong immune responses in a Phase II trial, which could see it finally reap the benefits of its plant-based technology.

Medicago factory, North Carolina
Medicago currently only has enough capacity to supply Canada's 76 million dose order, but wants to eventually produce 1 billion doses a year. • Source: Medicago

Medicago and its partner GlaxoSmithKline could be on track to have a Phase III readout for their COVID-19 vaccine candidate by summer, which the Canadian company hopes would also demonstrate the efficacy of its plant-based vaccine platform.

Its approach is unlike any other COVID-19 vaccine developer: its proprietary technology uses the Australian tobacco plant N benthamiana as a kind of natural bioreactor to

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Business

Takeda Plans US Investment But Sees Little Impact From Tariffs

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The Japanese drug maker is on track for three pivotal Phase III readouts and two regulatory submissions in 2025.

Q1 S&E In Brief: Tracking New Launches And Catalysts In Biopharma

 
• By Jessica Merrill and Joseph Haas

Neurocrine, Madrigal and Vanda updated investors on new drug launches, while Cytokinetics talked to investors about an FDA extension for aficamten.

Which Firms Are Most Exposed To Prasad’s Possible Accelerated Approvals Clampdown?

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Vaccine and accelerated approvals are expected to face greater scrutiny under new CBER leader Vinay Prasad, but he has promised “no light switch change” to policy, giving some reassurance to companies whose share prices have been battered.

Building Up US Biopharma Manufacturing Will Require Investments In Talent

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Workforce development will be essential to meeting president Trump’s goal to return biopharma manufacturing to the US.

More from Scrip

Finance Watch: Deerfield Closes $600m-Plus VC Fund; Gates Speeds Up Health Investments

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Private Company Edition: Deerfield’s third innovations fund will back therapeutics and other opportunities, the Gates Foundation – a sometimes funder of biotech firms – will spend $200bn over the next 20 years, and NewLimit raised a $130m series B round, among other financings.

Pipeline Watch: Six Approvals And Thirteen Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

Pharma Left Hanging After US/UK Trade Pact

 
• By Kevin Grogan

An ‘historic economic prosperity deal’ does not include the sector.