The second-generation Covid-19 vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline and its partner CureVac induces a stronger immune response than the German biotech’s first vaccine, according to a new study.
In an animal study, which has yet to be peer reviewed, the companies said the mRNA vaccine could induce antibodies capable of tackling several variants of concern, including Beta, Delta and Lambda.
The new vaccine elicited a response more quickly and created a higher level of antibodies than CureVac’s first-generation vaccine. It was also better at activating B and T cells, other important elements of the immune system’s response. In a phase 3 trial, CureVac’s first vaccine had an average efficacy of 48 per cent.