First human trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

LONDON (Reuters) - An experimental coronavirus vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford university was safe and produced an immune response in early-stage clinical trials, data showed on Monday, keeping alive the hope it could be in use by the end of the year.

The vaccine, called AZD1222, has been described by the World Health Organization’s chief scientist as the leading candidate in a global race to halt a pandemic that has claimed more than 600,000 lives.

More than 150 possible vaccines are in various stages of development with U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and China’s CanSino Biologics also reporting positive responses for their candidates on Monday.