GlaxoSmithKline plc has announced that its China-based partner Clover Biopharmaceuticals has initiated a phase I study to develop a COVID-19 vaccine candidate using Glaxo’s pandemic vaccine adjuvant technology.
The research collaboration with Clover Biopharmaceuticals to make COVID-19 S-Trimer vaccine (SCB-2019) vaccine candidate was announced by Glaxo in February. 
Preliminary data from the phase I study is expected in August while a phase IIb/III vaccine efficacy study is expected to be initiated later this year. 
Clover signed a similar deal with Dynavax Technologies Corporation DVAX under which the latter is providing its CpG 1018, the adjuvant contained in its marketed hepatitis B vaccine, to enhance the immune response of Clover’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Glaxo has also collaborated with Sanofi SNY to combine their innovative technologies to develop an adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine candidate is expected to enter clinical studies in the second half of 2020.
Glaxo announced last month that it plans to produce 1 billion doses of its pandemic vaccine adjuvant in 2021 that can be used for the development of COVID-19 vaccine candidates that are suitable for use with an adjuvant. Glaxo has decided to enhance its manufacturing capacity at sites in Europe and North America, which will allow it to make 1 billion doses of the adjuvant. Glaxo is in discussion with several governments and global institutions to fund its development of the adjuvant.

The research collaboration with Clover Biopharmaceuticals to make COVID-19 S-Trimer vaccine (SCB-2019) vaccine candidate was announced by Glaxo in February.