GlaxoSmith Kline (NYSE:GSK) and Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) recently announced their intent to seek regulatory authorization for an adjuvanted recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.
Now, GSK and its partner Medicago have received approval from Health Canada for another COVID-19 vaccine, which combines the former’s adjuvant technology with the latter’s plant-derived vaccine.
Known as Covifenz, the vaccine makes use of plant-based virus-like particles.
The Health Canada approval covers adults between the ages of 18 to 64.
The agency approved the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine last week.
GSK is also working with K Bioscience in South Korea on an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine and with CureVac on a next-generation mRNA vaccine.
“This first approval is an important milestone in our approach of pairing GSK’s well-established pandemic adjuvant with promising antigens to develop protein-based, refrigerator-stable COVID-19 vaccines to help protect people against COVID-19 disease,” said Roger Connor, President of GSK Vaccines, in a news release.
The vaccine was developed in Canada.
A primary series of the Covifenz vaccine consists of two doses administered 21 days apart.
Covifenz can be stored at 2° to 8°C.
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) Group is the primary owner of Medicago.