New coronavirus vaccine trial launched in York

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of York are to trial a new coronavirus vaccine.

The plant-derived vaccine has been developed by Medicago and GlaxoSmithKline, withe the trial set to see 30,000 volunteers recruited globally for the phase three trial, including 1,500 across the UK. York is one of nine locations across the UK taking part in the global trial and is a first for the city.

The study will recruit healthy adults, aged 19 to 40, and each will receive two doses of the experimental vaccine and two doses of a placebo. Those taking part will have to make 10 visits to the clinic over a two-year period, but this may be shorter depending on results.

Lydia Harris, Head of Research and Development at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “York is rapidly expanding its research capabilities.  The quality of our researchers, facilities and patient groups are allowing us to engage effectively in cutting edge research at an international level.  We have come a long way in a very short period of time.”

“Our staff are doing incredible work to support Covid-19 research studies and we are very proud to have made significant contributions to this global effort.  

“We’re really proud to be contributing to so many different studies for Covid-19.  Our success in these areas has led to us being invited, as part of a cross Clinical Research Network (CRN) collaboration with additional resources being provided by York University and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, to take part in a unique Covid-19 Vaccine Trial.”