(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Monday announced that its vaccine, co-developed by Oxford University, is 100% effective against severe Covid-19 and at keeping people out of hospital with severe illness.
AstraZeneca shares were up 1.0% at 7,183.39 pence each in London on Monday morning.
The FTSE 100 drug maker said data from a US-led trial showed that its AZD1222 Covid-19 vaccine has a 79% efficacy rate of preventing symptomatic Covid-19.
In addition, the independent data safety monitoring board conducted a specific review of thrombotic events, or blood clotting, as well as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and identified no safety concerns related to the vaccine.
This comes after concerns were raised in recent weeks about a potential link between the vaccine and blood clots, leading to several European countries pausing its use.
Both the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency have since spoken out in support of the jab, however, and most have resumed vaccinations.
"These findings reconfirm previous results observed in AZD1222 trials across all adult populations but it's exciting to see similar efficacy results in people over 65 for the first time. This analysis validates the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as a much-needed additional vaccination option, offering confidence that adults of all ages can benefit from protection against the virus," said Ann Falsey, the co-lead principal investigator for the trial.
The phase three trial was based on 32,449 participants accruing 141 symptomatic cases of Covid-19. The trial had a 2:1 randomisation of vaccine to placebo.
Notably, the vaccine had an efficacy rate of 80% in participants aged 65 years and over, who are generally more vulnerable to the disease.
AstraZeneca said it will continue to analyse the data and prepare for the primary analysis to be submitted to the US Food & Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization in the coming weeks.
Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals research and develoment, said: "These results add to the growing body of evidence that shows this vaccine is well tolerated and highly effective against all severities of Covid-19 and across all age groups. We are confident this vaccine can play an important role in protecting millions of people worldwide against this lethal virus. We are preparing to submit these findings to the US Food & Drug Administration and for the rollout of millions of doses across America should the vaccine be granted US Emergency Use Authorization."
Separately, AstraZeneca on Sunday announced the death of Jose Baselga, the executive vice president oncology research & development.
"An outstanding scientific leader, Jose leaves a lasting legacy in the scientific community and here at AstraZeneca. He set our Oncology R&D function on a remarkable trajectory, and his visionary leadership, deep scientific expertise and strategic insight have delivered so many achievements that we can all be proud of and that will benefit patients’ lives in the years to come," Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said.
By Greg Roxburgh; gregroxburgh@alliancenews.com
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