3 questions to Colleen Kamrad – Vice President & General Manager GSK, Switzerland

GSK is heavily involved in the research of a Covid-19 vaccine. What is the current situation? Where do you stand and what are the next steps?

We are working with scientific partners to develop a broad portfolio of potential COVID-19 solutions. We are using our adjuvant technology to develop several protein-based adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccines. For this, we are collaborating with Sanofi, SK Bioscience from South Korea and Medicago from Canada. Our collaboration with Medicago is currently in late-stage trials. Our vaccine candidate with Sanofi showed strong immune responses in all adult age groups in phase 2. Phase 3 is expected to start in the coming weeks.

We are also investigating next-generation COVID-19 vaccines and expanding our global collaboration with CureVac from Germany. CureVac is one of the few companies pioneering mRNA technology. Together, we are developing next-generation mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that could cover multiple variants in a single vaccine. We are also supporting the manufacturing of up to 100 million doses of CureVac’s first-generation COVID-19 vaccine this year. In Switzerland, CureVac will handle sales through its own subsidiary. In addition, we are in discussions with other companies to see if we can help manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines.

Are there other projects at GSK besides vaccine research to combat Covid-19?

In addition to vaccines, we are developing potential treatments for COVID-19. In collaboration with Vir Biotechnology, new dual-action monoclonal antibodies are being developed that could be used as therapeutic or preventive options in the fight against the current or future pandemics. The lead antibody candidate Sotrovimab (VIR-7831) is being investigated in adults at high risk for hospitalization and is effective against the mutations known to date. Sotrovimab has received emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 disease in adults and high-risk pediatric patients. The EMA has also issued a positive scientific opinion on the Corona drug. We are optimistic that this will advance discussions for approval in additional countries.

It is also worth noting that we donated $10 million to the WHO and the UN COVID-19 Solidarity Fund. This will help us support frontline healthcare workers in this pandemic in prevention, detection and treatment. We have donated laboratory equipment, instruments and scientific kits to support government testing. We have also donated more than 800,000 pieces of personal protective clothing to protect healthcare workers in 34 countries.

Besides the production of Covid-19 vaccines and medicines, what new products is GSK currently working on?

We are known not only for our long-standing expertise in vaccines, but also for our broad portfolio of innovative and established medicines in respiratory diseases, HIV, immunoinflammation and oncology.

For severe asthma, we are developing a long-acting monoclonal antibody. We are also expanding our meningococcal vaccine portfolio, researching new vaccines against RSV and looking at new approaches to treating HIV.

Of particular note is our renewed commitment to oncology. Especially in the field of gynecological oncology, we currently have a promising product pipeline on which we can build. Here we can offer our patients considerable added value in different therapy situations. Our study program also offers a lot more. Of course, immuno-oncology also plays a role here. In the field of solid tumours, but also in the field of haemato-oncology, we will be focusing on new mechanisms of action in the future, which will further advance cancer therapy.