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.1.1.7 with E484K...

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

Taiho’s Oral, Mutation-Agnostic DMD Candidate Misses Phase III Endpoint

 
• By Lisa Takagi

The oral, twice-daily candidate was expected to control decline in motor function in DMD patients regardless of their gene mutations.

ProKidney Pins Hopes On Accelerated Approval For Rilparencel

 
• By Alaric DeArment

After posting encouraging Phase II results, the company plans to meet with the US FDA about using data from an ongoing Phase III study for an accelerated approval.

Novartis Secures Approval For First Malaria Therapy for Babies

 
• By Kevin Grogan

Coartem Baby to be rolled out in eight African countries in the autumn.

Could Apogee Rival Regeneron/Sanofi, Lilly After Phase II Eczema Data Win?

 
• By Manas Mishra

Apogee Therapeutics reports data from Phase II APEX trial of its long-acting antibody against atopic dermatitis, showing similar efficacy to Regeneron/Sanofi’s Dupixent and Eli Lilly’s Ebglyss.

More from Scrip

Lilly’s Kisunla Label Update Lowers ARIA-E Risk For Alzheimer’s Patients

 
• By Mandy Jackson

The updated US FDA label modifies dose titration based on TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 6, a study that showed a more gradual rise in dosing levels reduced ARIA-E incidence without reducing amyloid clearance.

Kris Joshi Named Norstella CEO, Prioritizes AI Innovation

 
• By Aakash Babu

Joshi joins the parent company of Citeline, which houses flagship publications Scrip and Pink Sheet, to focus on AI, business harmonization and long-term growth.

Wave of Biopharma Licensing Deals in India: ‘The Model Is Working’

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

From vonoprazan and inclisiran to nirsevimab, big pharma has licensed several products to Indian firms as have other biopharma players. Experts discuss the intricacies of such licensing deals amid signs of more action in store and whether geopolitics could dull partnering with Chinese firms.