Coronavirus Notebook: Australia OKs GSK’s Sotrovimab For COVID-19, Iran Takes SpikoGen Vaccine Into Phase III

Revised recommendation is based on most recent data on circulating strains in US, where KP.3 is now dominant. Novavax sticks with plans targeting the JN.1 ‘parent strain.’

US FDA’s 2015 accelerated approval called for confirmatory trial completion by 2018, but study initiation was delayed. Completed in 2022, the trial not only verified Bexsero’s clinical benefit, it also served as the pivotal study for GSK’s pentavalent meningococcal vaccine candidate.

To help sponsors developing candidate mpox vaccines, the World Health Organization will soon be finalizing guidance on the preferred and minimum characteristics these products must satisfy regarding efficacy, dose regimen and other aspects to secure regulatory approval.

The WHO’s emergency committee has warned of a lack of understanding of the epidemiology of mpox, the limited availability of vaccines, and the complexities of donations and procurement.