Sanofi, GSK Get Nod For Late-Stage COVID-19 Vaccine Trial In India

Sanofi SA SNY and GlaxoSmithKline Plc GSK have received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for a late-stage clinical trial of their protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The companies in May started global trials to include more than 35,000 adults to test the candidate and hope to get approvals by the end of 2021.
Phase 2 interim results showed that the vaccine produces a robust immune response.
According to India's clinical trial registry, the Indian arm of the studies will enroll roughly 3,000 adults between the ages of 18 years and 55 years.
The assessment is expected to run for a year, and the first enrollment in India is already done.
GSK and Sanofi's vaccine candidate uses the same technology as one of Sanofi's seasonal influenza vaccines.
It will be coupled with an adjuvant made by GSK.
Sanofi also plans to test the vaccine as a booster, regardless of which shot a person may have received first.
Price Action: GSK shares are down 1.19% at $39.76, and SNY shares are down 0.43% at $50.99 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.