The NHS, academia and the private sector are joining forces with the government to explore and establish human challenge trials in the UK to speed up the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Our University medical researchers will provide expert advice for the Imperial College led study with hVIVO and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust – backed by multi-million pound government investment.
In human challenge studies, a potential vaccine, proven to be safe in initial trials, is given to a small number of carefully selected healthy adult volunteers who are exposed to the virus in a safe and controlled environment. Medics and scientists closely monitor the effect 24 hours per day to see exactly how the vaccine works and identify any side effects.
Southampton’s Robert Read, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre helped devise the strategy for this study, based partly on previous experience in whooping cough research.
Robert has extensive experience in the use of human challenge studies to investigate pathogenesis and, together with his colleague Dr Diane Gbesemete, recently published a research paper on public consultation into the acceptability of controlled human challenge with the coronavirus. Southampton Professor of Respiratory Medicine, Tom Wilkinson, will also work on the project.
Professor Read commented: “This research will make an important contribution to the development and testing of new vaccines for COVID-19. The research team comprises some of the UKs most experienced medical scientists from leading UK universities, and our focus will be on the safety of the people who volunteer to take part.”
The study will take place in facilities at the Royal Free Hospital specifically designed to contain the virus. If given ethical and regulatory approval, it will start in January with results expected by May 2021.
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