GlaxoSmithKline (LON:GSK) and French partner Sanofi have agreed to supply 200mln of a COVID-19 vaccine they are developing to COVAX, the global body designed to guarantee equitable access to coronavirus treatments.
The two companies have signed a Statement of Intent with Gavi, the legal administrator of the COVAX Facility to deliver the vaccine once it has received regulatory approval.
Sanofi and GSK initiated a Phase 1/2 study for the vaccine on September 3, 2020, with a total of 440 subjects enrolled, and anticipate first results in early December 2020, to support the initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 study before the end of the year.
In a statement, Roger Connor, president of GSK Vaccines said: "Since we started working on the development of COVID-19 vaccines, GSK has pledged to make them available to people around the world.
“We are proud to be working with Sanofi to make this adjuvanted recombinant protein-based vaccine available to the countries signed up to the COVAX Facility as soon as possible - this has the potential to be a significant contribution to the global fight against COVID-19."
The COVAX Facility is part of COVAX, a global collaboration of governments, global health organisations, businesses and philanthropic organizations working to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO.
More than 180 countries have signed up to the COVAX Facility.