Shionogi & Co. said Friday it aims to launch a vaccine for the novel coronavirus as early as fall 2021 and is preparing to begin clinical trials by the end of the year.
The Osaka-based drugmaker will consider producing the vaccine for 10 million people. It is rare for a pharmaceutical company to study production before the results of clinical trials come out, but Shionogi is looking to bring the vaccine to market as early as possible.
The company will advance development jointly with subsidiary UMN Pharma Inc. and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.