FLICKR, NIAIDIn anticipation of Phase 1 results demonstrating the safety of experimental Ebola vaccines in healthy volunteers, researchers are gearing up for Phase 2 and 3 efficacy studies in the geographical hub of the ongoing epidemic, ScienceInsider reported. In the coming months, two vaccine candidates—one from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and another, developed by NewLink Genetics and manufactured by Merck—are expected to begin large-scaled studies in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
“We all want the momentum and sense of urgency to continue,” World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan said last week (January 8), according to The Washington Post. “We want to spot potential bottlenecks early and iron out any difficulties that could slow things down.”
GSK’s chimp adenovirus-based vaccine candidate has completed its Phase 1 safety trial, and company researchers are currently analyzing data to decide the best dose to use for a Phase 3 study. NewLink and Merck are still enrolling volunteers in ongoing Phase 1 studies for their livestock virus-based candidate.
When the time comes, Liberia will host a randomized, controlled trial with three arms of about 9,000 people each: one group will receive the GSK vaccine candidate and another will receive the ...
