Medicago and GSK's Covid-19 vaccine shows 75.3% efficacy against Delta strain

Medicago and GSK's Covid-19 vaccine showed a high degree of efficacy in blocking symptomatic disease in those infected with the Delta strain of SARS-CoV-2.

The company highlighted the fact that most other published results were for trials that had taken place when only the "ancestral" virus was circulating, so that direct comparisons between the results were "impossible".

"This is an incredible moment for Medicago and for novel vaccine platforms. The results of our clinical trials show the power of plant-based vaccine manufacturing technology," said Takashi Nagao, CEO and President at Medicago.

"If approved, we will be contributing to the world's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with the world's first plant-based vaccine for use in humans."

According to Quebec-based Medicago, the phase three clinical trial results of its adjuvanted plant-based vaccine proved the efficacy of the shot against all variants.

Against Delta specifically, it showed 75.3% efficacy, was well-tolerated and no related serious adverse events were reported among the trial participants who received the shot.

Efficacy versus all variants was 71.0%.

A submission for final regulatory approval from Health Canada would be filed immediately.

The trial into Medicago's plant-based vaccine, in conjunction with GSK's pandemic adjuvant, was conducted among 24,000 persons 18 years of age or older from six different countries.

The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not circulating during the study.

As of 1240 GMT, shares of GSK were 0.67% higher at 1,565.20p.