1. Scrip
  2. >>R&D

Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases Raise Concern Over B.1.617 Variant

CEPI Offers Testing Against Variants Of Concern

 
• By Vibha Ravi

As the B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2 spreads to countries including the UK and US after having caused havoc in India, vaccine effectiveness against this variant is under the lens with breakthrough cases reported post full vaccination. Meanwhile, CEPI’s offer to help in testing against variants has potential to harmonize assessment of COVID-19 vaccines performance.

Breakthrough concept
Are SARS-CoV-2 Variants Breaking Through The Defense Of COVID-19 Vaccines? • Source: Alamy

The B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in India, has recently been labelled a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its higher transmissibility. With real world evidence of breakthrough cases post-vaccination, the new variant of the virus which originated in China is causing concern around the world.

It joins four others - B.1.1.7 (Kent, UK), B.1.351 (South Africa), P1 (Japan, ex Manaus, Brazil) and B.1.1

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 R&D

More from Scrip

Bluebird, Private Equity Firms Look To Sweeten Buyout Deal

 
• By Alaric DeArment

Shareholders are being offered a flat fee of $5 per share as an alternative to $3 plus a contingent value right, which could be a more attractive option if they want cash up front.

Novo Nordisk Looks To Septerna For Oral Obesity Options

 
• By Mary Jo Laffler

Deal Snapshot: The Danish drugmaker is partnering with GPCR drug discovery expert Septerna to develop multiple small molecules for cardiometabolic targets.

AbbVie On MFN: ‘We Have To Take It Seriously’

 
• By Jessica Merrill

AbbVie chief commercial officer Jeffrey Stewart called Trump’s drug pricing plan a “disruption” but said ultimately the delta between US and EU drug prices may not be as high as some expect.