Oxford University joined hand with AstraZenenca for development, manufacture & distribution of coronavirus vaccine which is under trial in UK

PA

The UK coronavirus vaccine has taken a serious step forwards, after scientists revealed plans for mass-production if trials are successul.

The University of Oxford has partnered with pharmaceutical giant AstraZenenca for the event , manufacture and large-scale distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate that's currently being trialled within the UK.

The agreement was announced on Thursday, with the small print set to be finalised within the coming weeks.





The move will leave rapid vaccination round the world if the candidate proves to be effective, the university said.

Human trials of the vaccine developed by the University's Jenner Institute began last week, with many people volunteering to be a part of the study which received £20 million in Government funding.

Professor Sir John Bell, Regius professor of drugs at Oxford University described the partnership with AstraZeneca as a "major force within the struggle against pandemics" for the foreseeable future.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir John said he hoped that some results from a person's trial of the vaccine would be available by the center of June.

He told Today that the challenge now's to be ready to manufacture at scale once it's approved by the regulators.

Sir John added: "We also want to form sure that the remainder of the planet are going to be able to make this vaccine at scale in order that it gets to populations in developing countries, for instance , where the necessity is extremely great.

"We actually need a partner to try to to that which partner features a big job within the UK because our manufacturing capacity within the UK for vaccines isn't where it must be, then we are getting to work along side AstraZeneca to enhance that considerably."

It is the primary such partnership to be formed since the govt launched the Vaccines Taskforce fortnight ago to assist find a replacement coronavirus vaccine.

Both partners have agreed to work on a not-for-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic, the university said, with only the prices of production and distribution being covered.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it had been "hugely welcome news" that Oxford University had come to an agreement with AstraZeneca to proportion its coronavirus vaccine.

He tweeted: "The Oxford vaccine is one among the foremost advanced within the world. Bringing together the simplest British science and therefore the better of British business will give us the simplest possible shot at a vaccine.

"The science is uncertain, and no vaccine may go , but this deal gives the united kingdom the simplest chance we will of a breakthrough that would defeat this awful virus. I'm sending best wishes permanently fortune to all or any involved - for the sake of the state and indeed the entire world.

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