The world’s first human challenge study for Covid – 19 is to start in London next January. Their goal: Young, healthy adults are infected with purified Sars-CoV-2 viruses under supervision in order to answer important questions that would not be possible by examining patients. We are initially looking for 50 healthy volunteers between 18 and 30 years. The researchers are currently waiting for approval from a specially established ethics committee and also from the British regulatory authority “Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency” (MHRA).

On the one hand, the study should take a closer look at the course of infection and disease than before. In the first phase, the researchers want to determine, among other things, the lowest virus dose that is required for infection. The immune response will also be examined more closely. In the spring, more volunteers would first be given a vaccine candidate and later the coronavirus. This makes it quicker to determine which vaccine prevents infection, as one does not have to wait for the subjects to become infected naturally.

Parallel development of several candidates The advantage of this approach is that researchers can study multiple vaccine candidates in parallel to see which one is most effective. This will accelerate the development of vaccines against Covid – 19. In addition, human challenge studies also help investigate treatments other than vaccinations.

The volunteer subjects will be isolated for the duration of the study, which will last several weeks, in a biosecurity ward of the Royal Free Hospital and will be monitored for up to one year after their discharge to identify any side effects. You will also receive payment.

Human Challenge Studies “The deliberate infection of volunteers a known human pathogen is never done lightly, “said Peter Openshaw of Imperial College London, in a statement. “However, such studies are hugely informative about disease, even one as well-researched as Covid – 19. It’s really important that we get it done quickly Get as effective vaccines and other treatments as possible for Covid – 19. ”

The UK Government has 33, 6 million pounds (37, 2 million euros) pledged for the study, in collaboration with the on humane Virus challenge studies organized by specialized company hVIVO. Diseases for which hVivo has already conducted human challenge studies include typhoid fever, gastrointestinal inflammation caused by noroviruses and