AstraZeneca Nasal Spray Vaccine For Covid Fizzles In Small, Early Trial
NDTV
AstraZeneca Plc's ambitions for developing an easier formulation of its Covid-19 vaccine -- one that might help curb contagion as well -- suffered a setback Monday as the nasal spray failed in an early test.
The spray vaccine didn't elicit a strong immune response in the nasal mucosa tissue or in the rest of the body of volunteers, according to researchers at the University of Oxford. Astra shares fell less than 1% in London.
The UK drugmaker was one in a handful of companies investigating the approach, arguing a nasal inoculation can thwart the virus at its point of entry. Others include Meissa Vaccines Inc. In India and China, Bharat Biotech International Ltd. and CanSino Biologics Inc. have nasal products that won clearance as boosters from local regulators.
The Astra trial's lead investigator, Sandy Douglas, said the setback suggests "there are likely to be challenges in making nasal sprays a reliable option."
