Sanofi and GSK start human trials for Covid-19 vaccine

The trial  will assess 440 healthy patients in two age groups: 18 to 49, and over 50.

Over 175 Covid-19 vaccines are currently in development. File picture: Marlene Awaad/Bloomberg

Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) began testing their experimental Covid-19 shot on the first patients on Thursday and aim to start late-stage trials before the year's end.

The drugmakers, who both operate large facilities in Waterford, started human studies at 11 sites across the US. The trial — which compresses the early and middle stages of clinical tests — will assess 440 healthy patients in two age groups: 18 to 49, and over 50. Sanofi and GSK aim to have results by December, allowing the final stage to begin.