corona
EU medicines agency starts review of Hipra vaccine
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is examining a new booster vaccine from Spain. Photo: Peter Dejong/AP/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The EMA in Amsterdam is testing a new active ingredient from Spain against the corona virus. It is intended for adults who have already been vaccinated and is also intended to protect against the omicron variant.
The EU medicines agency EMA has started the rapid test procedure for the corona vaccine from the Spanish manufacturer Hipra. The active ingredient was developed as a booster vaccination, as the EMA announced on Tuesday in Amsterdam.
It is initially intended for adults who have already been vaccinated with other Covid vaccines. According to preliminary studies, the preparation is also effective against infection with the omicron variant of the virus.
According to the EMA, the manufacturer had presented the first results from laboratory and clinical studies. The test procedure was started on this basis. According to the so-called rolling review process, the results of studies are already evaluated, even if not all the results are available and no application for approval has been submitted. According to the EMA, it is not yet clear how long the test will take.
The Hipra vaccine is designed to enable the body to defend itself against the infection. It contains two versions of the spike protein that were artificially made in the laboratory. This protein helps the virus enter cells. After vaccination, the body is supposed to develop antibodies and T-cells. In the event of an infection, these would then kill the virus and destroy infected cells.
Five corona vaccines have already been approved in the EU. Test procedures are currently underway for a total of five other vaccines.