AZD1222 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Description

The AZD1222 coronavirus vaccine candidate, formerly known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is made from a virus (ChAdOx1), which is a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees, that has been genetically changed so that it is impossible for it to grow in humans.

Genetic material has been added to the ChAdOx1 construct, which is used to make proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus called Spike glycoprotein (S). This protein is usually found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 and plays an essential role in the infection pathway of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus uses its spike protein to bind to ACE2 receptors on human cells to gain entry to the cells and cause an infection.

After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the coronavirus if it later infects the body, and causes COVID-19 disease.

By vaccinating with AZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), these researchers are hoping to make the body recognize and develop an immune response to the Spike protein that will help stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering human cells and therefore prevent infection.

Vaccines made from the ChAdOx1 virus have been given to more than 320 people to date and have been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, although they can cause temporary side effects, such as temperature, headache or a sore arm.

AZD1222 has progressed into late-stage Phase II/III clinical trials in more than 10,000 people from across the UK.

If the vaccine is proven to be safe and effective, the first doses to be produced under this agreement are anticipated to be available in early 2021. Vaccines will be released on a rolling basis as production is completed, and the full quota of 300 million doses is expected to be available by July 2021.

The AZD1222 vaccine was developed by Oxford University’s Jenner Institute, working with the Oxford Vaccine Group.

AZD1222 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Indication

The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine candidate is being tested in clinical trials to prevent infection of SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19 disease.

AZD1222 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Dosage

Biological: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 - A single dose of 5x10^10vp of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.

Biological: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 boost - A single dose of 5x10^10vp of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 followed by a boost dose of 2.5x10^10vp of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.

AZD1222 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine News

June 4, 2020 - AstraZeneca reached a $750m agreement with CEPI and Gavi to support the manufacturing, procurement, and distribution of 300 million doses of the potential vaccine, with delivery starting by the end of 2020. In addition, AstraZeneca reached a licensing agreement with SII to supply 1-billion doses for low-and-middle-income countries, with a commitment to provide 400 million before the end of 2020.

June 4, 2020 - The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations announced a partnership with AstraZeneca which will support the manufacture of 300 million doses of the AZD1222 vaccine candidate to be ringfenced for the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility. if the vaccine is proven to be safe and effective.

May 23, 2020 - “It’s a race against the virus disappearing, and against time,” Professor Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute, told the Telegraph. “We said earlier in the year that there was an 80% chance of developing an effective vaccine by September. But at the moment, there’s a 50% chance that we get no result at all.”

May 22, 2020 - University of Oxford researchers announced they have begun recruiting participants for the next phase in human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine in human volunteers.

May 21, 2020 - AstraZeneca has received more than $1 billion from the U.S. Health Department’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop a coronavirus vaccine from the University of Oxford called AZD1222. AstraZeneca has agreed to initially supply at least 400 million doses of the vaccine and secured total manufacturing capacity to produce 1 billion doses, with first deliveries in September.

May 21, 2020 - Operation Warp Speed Accelerates AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to be Available Beginning in October 2020.

May 18, 2020 - The U.K. Business Secretary Alok Sharma indicated the government has an agreement with the Imperial College London and AstraZeneca to accelerate the production of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine candidate. The deal will see AstraZeneca manufacture up to 30 million doses by September 2020 as part of a commitment to deliver 100 million doses in total for people in Britain. Under the agreement, London pledged 65.5 million pounds in funding for the vaccine being developed at the University of Oxford and 18.5 million pounds for related work at Imperial College London.

May 16, 2020 - Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau announced the first clinical trial of a potential COVID-19 disease prevention vaccine, called Ad5-nCoV COVID-19, which has been approved by Health Canada.

May 14, 2020 - Everything you need to know about the Oxford University vaccine.

May 13, 2020 - A non-peer-reviewed study showed that a single vaccination in rhesus macaques with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is effective in preventing damage to the lungs upon high dose challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, a recent study showed that a triple vaccination regime of a high-dose of whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 protected rhesus macaques from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

April 30, 2020 - AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford announced an agreement for the global development and distribution of the recombinant adenovirus vaccine aimed at preventing COVID-19 disease from SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections.

April 28, 2020 - The Serum Institute of India said it plans to produce up to 60 million doses of the vaccine against the new coronavirus that is under clinical trial in Britain.

April 24, 2020 - Vaccitech announces today that its scientific founders at the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, have begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine in human volunteers.

April 23, 2020 - University of Oxford researchers have begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine in human volunteers in Oxford today. Around 1,110 people will take part in the trial, half receiving the vaccine, and the control group receiving a widely available meningitis vaccine. 

AZD1222 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Clinical Trials

Clinical Trial NCT04324606: A phase I single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center study to determine efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the candidate Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 in UK healthy adult volunteers aged 18-55 years.

• Primary outcomes: Assess the efficacy of the candidate ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 against COVID-19: Number of virologically confirmed (PCR positive) symptomatic cases 
• Up to 1,102 healthy volunteers aged between 18-55 are being recruited for the trials in study sites across Oxford, Southampton, London, and Bristol.
• There will be 4 study groups and it is anticipated that a total of 1112 volunteers will be enrolled. Volunteers will participate in the study for approximately 6 months, with the option to come for an additional follow up visit on Day 364.

A Phase I/II clinical trial of AZD1222 to assess safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in over 1,000 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 years across several trial centers in southern England. Data from the trial is expected shortly which, if positive, would lead to late-stage trials in a number of countries.