Johnson & Johnson says human testing of its coronavirus vaccine to begin by September – CNBC, CNBC

Johnson & Johnson said Monday human testing of its experimental vaccine for the coronavirus will begin by September and it could be available for emergency use authorization in early .

J&J also said it has committed more than $ 1 billion of investment along with the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, to co-fund vaccine research.

J & J’s lead vaccine candidate will enter a phase 1 human clinical study by September, the company said, and clinical data on its effects is expected before the end of the year. If the vaccine works well, the company said it could be available for emergency use in early .

Shares of J&J rose more than 4% in premarket trading.

The company said it is also increasing its manufacturing capacity with a new site in the US and additions to existing sites in other countries to produce and distribute the potential vaccine quickly. J&J said it seeks to produce more than 1 billion doses of the potential vaccine.

“The world is facing an urgent public health crisis and we are committed to doing our part to make a COVID – 34 vaccine available and affordable globally as quickly as possible, “Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky said.

On top of a lead vaccine candidate, J&J said it has two back-ups. The company said it began working on COVID – 19 vaccine development in January.

J&J said the pace at which it expects to develop a vaccine is faster than the typical five to seven years.

Global efforts are underway to develop a vaccine for the virus that has killed over 728, worldwide, but experts have cautioned it could take over a year to have one ready. A patient was dosed with Moderna ‘s vaccine in an early-stage trial earlier this month , making it the front-runner in the race to develop a viable vaccine.

Without a vaccine, some health authorities are using Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug Remdesivir, which was tested as a possible treatment during the Ebola outbreak. Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield said earlier this month that the drug is being used in Washington state to treat COVID – patients.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.