COVAXIN: Phase 3 Interim Report
On 3rd July 2021 Bharath Biotech based in India's Genome Valley announced their Phase 3 interim results of Covid vaccine BBV152(COVAXIN). The pdf link describes some details.
The bulleted highlights are as follows:
"
- Data from 25,800 participants, received vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio showed that
the vaccine candidate was well tolerated.
- COVAXIN® demonstrated 81% interim efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in those without
prior infection after the second dose.
- Clinical trial to continue through to final analysis at 130 confirmed cases in order to
gather further data and evaluate the efficacy of COVAXIN in additional secondary
study endpoints.
"
One of the key points to note;
"The inclusion of the Algel-IMDG adjuvant enhances T-cell immune responses to COVID-19, leading to long-term protection"
Vaccine distribution status:
4 billion doses distributed worldwide so far.
More here on Bharath Biotech:
http://www.bharatbiotech.com/
https://www.bharatbiotech.com/images/press/covaxin-phase3-efficacy-results.pdf
What is an adjuvant?
In immunology, an adjuvant is a substance that increases or modulates the immune response to a vaccine. The word "adjuvant" comes from the Latin word adiuvare, meaning to help or aid. Wikipedia
More on NIH related information in quotes:
"The adjuvant used in COVAXIN, Alhydroxiquim-II, was discovered and tested in the laboratory by the biotech company ViroVax LLC of Lawrence, Kansas with support exclusively from the NIAID Adjuvant Development Program. The adjuvant comprises a small molecule attached in a unique way to Alhydrogel, a substance frequently called alum that is the most commonly used adjuvant in vaccines for people. Alhydroxiquim-II travels to lymph nodes, where the small molecule detaches from alum and activates two cellular receptors. These receptors, TLR7 and TLR8, play a vital role in the immune response to viruses. Alhydroxiquim-II is the first adjuvant in an authorized vaccine against an infectious disease to activate TLR7 and TLR8. In addition, the alum in Alhydroxiquim-II stimulates the immune system to search for an invading pathogen."
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/covaxin-to-use-virovaxs-adjuvant-alhydroxiquim-ii-to-boost-immune-response/2098284/
About ViroVax:
"Dr. Sunil David founded (an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru)) ViroVax, LLC in 2019 in Lawrence, KS. ViroVax is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of vaccines, adjuvants, and therapeutics to protect and treat people from infectious diseases, including Zika, West Nile, Dengue, and SARS-CoV-2.
