(Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Chinese firm Clover Biopharmaceuticals are to collaborate on a coronavirus vaccine candidate, the two partners announced on Monday.
Clover has entered a research collaboration deal with Glaxo concerning Clover's "protein-based coronavirus vaccine candidate" known as COVID-19 S-Trimer.
Under the deal, Clover said, Glaxo will provide its "pandemic adjuvant system" to Clover to evaluate S-Trimer in preclinical studies. Clover described Glaxo as "a leader in the development of innovative vaccines using different adjuvant systems".
When making a vaccine, an adjuvant can be added to cause an enhanced immune response. In this way, an adjuvant helps provide immunity that is stronger and last for longer compared to just the vaccine alone.
Thomas Breuer, chief medical officer of GSK Vaccines, said: "We are proud to contribute to cutting edge research from scientists at Clover Biopharmaceuticals in China as part of our strategy to make our adjuvant technology available to selected partners who have a promising vaccine candidate against the newly emerged coronavirus."
Breuer added: "The use of an adjuvant is of particular importance in a pandemic situation since it may reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and therefore contributing to protect more people."
Shares in Glaxo were down 1.9% at 1,626.00 pence in London on Monday morning.
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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