It seems that Moderna is approved to proceed to Phase III definitive testing for their RNA-based vaccine:
See:
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotec...ead-july-start
* starts next month WOW
* Two shots 28 days apart
* Two doses to test 50 ug and 100 ug
* 30,000 patients, randomized and placebo controlled
* Primary end point is antibody response
* Secondary end point is ongoing protection from COVID infection vs placebo (silent on how long the follow-up period is).
Looks like out of the 60+ vaccines in development - many of which would likely be successful, there are 3 front-runners. Besides Moderna there is US based Inovio (also using a proprietary DNA plasmid technology),and GlaxoSmithKline. Both Moderna and Inovio have numerous vaccines in testing, but none FDA approved, which means their proprietary technology has not been proven, which is a little concerning. Moderna has signed-up world leader Lonza to manufacture 1 Billion doses. They have said they may start manufacturing after they submit the data to FDA for approval. It is not known how many Lonza plants will make the product, but it is known that the plant here in Portsmouth is one of them. Inovio on the other hand is in a public "tiff" with their manufacturer VGXI (based in Korea). You might think this gives a leg-up to Moderna.
Fingers crossed, but if all this works, and the safety and effectiveness is there, there might be a vaccine in Q1 of next year! And with more to follow in 2021!
Until then the only way to go is the old-fashioned way. Get the virus an make your own antibodies! Remdisivir can slow it down - to give you time....