A Covid vaccine developed by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has entered phase three trials.
The British-based company, alongside its South Korean partner firm SK Bioscience, will test the jab on 4,000 people in several countries.
Their vaccine — dubbed GBP510 — will also be compared against the AstraZeneca jab.
If the jab is proven to be safe as well as prevent infection, hospitalisation and death, then it could be approved in the UK and other Western nations.
Both firms involved hope to supply poorer nations from 2022, through the World Health Organization’s Covax scheme.
Early clinical tests found the vaccine sparked Covid-destroying antibodies in every volunteer who received the jab.
Britain has not ordered the vaccine, but it did buy 60million doses of the firm’s jab made with French firm Sanofi.
GSK — one of the largest drug companies in the world — is also developing a ‘next generation’ mRNA Covid vaccine with Germany company CureVac, and is working alongside Medicago on another adjuvant-based jab.
GlaxoSmithKline has started the late-stage trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate with South Korean firm SK Bioscience (Andy Buchanan/PA)
No10’s chief scientific advisor Patrick Vallance was previously head of research and development at GSK.
England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam was also once a consultant for the London-based company.
Phase three trials are the final stage of evaluation that any vaccine must go through before it can be rolled out to the public.
Medical regulators use the data to determine whether a vaccine is safe and effective against the virus. No safety concerns have been identified to date.
GSK and SK Bioscience’s vaccine uses Covid antigens — the spike protein the virus uses to invade cells — made by bacteria or yeast.
In the jab these have been mixed with an adjuvant mixture, which scientists say will spark a stronger Covid response.
GSK also says the adjuvant technology may reduce the amount of vaccine protein needed per dose, allowing more supplies to be made.
Results from the phase three trial — which can take several months — are expected no later than June next year.
Thomas Breuer, chief global health officer, GSK, said: ‘While many countries have made good progress with vaccination, there remains a need for accessible and affordable Covid vaccines to ensure equitable access and to protect people across the world.
‘We are pleased to contribute with GSK’s pandemic adjuvant and to be working with SK to deliver the vaccine at scale via Covax if it is approved.’
SK Bioscience chief executive Jaeyong Ahn said: ‘We are grateful that we were able to advance to the phase three study with the unprecedented support of global initiatives, including GSK, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Initiative, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
‘Taking this important step towards overcoming the global pandemic situation, SK and GSK will bring our technical expertise together for the development of an adjuvanted protein-based vaccine candidate, GBP510.’
GSK has already committed to manufacturing up to a billion doses of its vaccine with CureVac, which entered stage three trials in December. Results are expected to be announced later this year.
The new study of GBP510 study is one of the first to compare two Covid vaccines.
In April, Valneva launched a trial to compare its Covid jab to the one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.
More than 48million first doses of the Covid vaccine have been rolled out in the UK, reaching almost 90 per cent of over-16s. And nearly 80 per cent have got two doses.
South Korea’s roll-out has been more lethargic, with around 30 per cent of people having received both doses so far.
Which vaccines have already been approved for use across the world?
The below vaccines have been approved for use by the World Health Organization.
Pfizer Covid vaccine (pictured)
Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid vaccine
How does it work? This mRNA-based jab requires two doses.
How effective is the jab? It is 95 per cent effective against infections and 100 per cent effective against serious disease or death, according to results from stage three trials. Real-world data has shown it is slightly less effective, especially against the Delta variant.
When was it approved for use in the UK? December 2020.
How many doses has the UK ordered? 135million doses to date.
AstraZeneca Covid vaccine (pictured)
AstraZeneca and Oxford University Covid vaccine
How does it work? This two-dose jab uses a weakened cold virus, modified to contain genetic material found in the coronavirus to teach the immune system how to fight it off.
How effective is the jab? It is 76 per cent effective against infections with Covid and 100 per cent effective against serious disease or death, according to stage three clinical trials. Real-world data has shown it is slightly less effective, especially against the Delta variant.
When was it approved for use in the UK? December 2020. This was revised in April to recommend an alternative for under-30s, and in May to recommend an alternative for under-40s.
How many doses has the UK ordered? 100million.
Johnson and Johnson, or Janssen, Covid vaccine (pictured)
Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine
How does it work? This single dose jab uses a weakened cold virus.
How effective is the jab? It is 67 per cent effective against infections with Covid and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to phase three clinical trials.
When was it approved for use in the UK? May 2021.
How many doses has the UK ordered? 20million doses. They are due to start arriving later this year.
Moderna Covid vaccine (pictured)
Moderna Covid vaccine
How does it work? This two-shot jab uses mRNA technology, just like Pfizer’s.
How effective is the jab? It is 90 per cent effective against Covid infections, and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to phase three clinical trials.
When was it approved for use in the UK? January 2021
How many doses has the UK ordered? 17million.
Sinopharm Covid vaccine (pictured)
Sinopharm Covid vaccine
How does it work? This two-dose jab uses an inactivated Covid virus.
How effective is the jab? It is 73 per cent effective against Covid infections and 100 per cent effective against serious disease and death, according to results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But other studies have shown it is less effective.
When was it approved for use in the UK? This Chinese-made vaccine has not been approved for use in Britain.
How many doses has the UK ordered? None.
Sinovac Covid vaccine 
Sinovac Covid vaccine (pictured)
How does it work? This two-dose jab uses an inactivated Covid virus.
How effective is the jab? It is 56 per cent effective at preventing Covid infections and 84 per cent effective at preventing serious disease and death, according to a study by the University of Chile.
When was it approved for use in the UK? This Chinese-made vaccine has not been approved for use in Britain.
How many doses has the UK ordered? None.
Source: World Health Organization and various studies.
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