Phase 3 data from Johnson & Johnson released: one shot, 72% efficacy

The third major alternative to a COVID-19 vaccine, Johnson & Johnson, released its Phase 3 interim analysis data Friday. The name of the vaccine is ENSEMBLE.

ENSEMBLE, known as a single dose vaccine, showed efficacy in 72% of the 43,783 recipients enrolled in the phase 3 studies.

“Our goal has always been to create a simple, effective solution for the widest possible number of people, and to have maximum impact to help end the pandemic,” said CEO Alex Gorsky.

Of the participants, there were 468 symptomatic COVID-19 cases. These subjects were re-evaluated 14 to 28 days after injection.

“Don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good,” Kizzmekia Corbett, one of Moderna’s vaccine developers, tweeted Friday, encouraged by ENSEMBLE’s efficacy rates.

The data showed that starting on the 14th day and up to 28 days after vaccination culminating, the recipients were 66% protected against moderate to severe complications of COVID-19, so that even if one contracted the virus within 28 days of vaccination. If you are given this vaccine, the effects would not be serious in 66% of the cases.

The announcement notes that “The results of the ENSEMBLE trial are effective, among other things, against emerging strains of coronavirus, including some highly contagious variants present in the US, Latin America and South Africa.”

The vaccine’s efficacy fell significantly from the United States, where it was 72%, to 57% in South Africa, where a new variant was recently discovered, causing worldwide concern. Concerns about the spread of the South African species have contributed to the recent closure of Ben-Gurion Airport.

“The potential to significantly reduce the burden of serious disease by providing an effective and well-tolerated vaccine with just one immunization is a critical part of the global public health response,” said Paul Stoffels, Johnson’s Chief Scientific Officer. & Johnson.

In addition, Johnson & Johnson plans to file an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application, as previous vaccine candidates – Pfizer and Moderna – have done.

According to the data, the vaccine is overall 85% effective in preventing serious complications that can lead to hospitalization.

The company noted that they will be in contact with the subjects for “up to two years”.

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