Johnson & Johnson said on Monday it had temporarily paused its novel coronavirus vaccine candidate clinical trials. The reason cited is an unexplained illness in a study participant, delaying one of the highest-profile efforts to contain the pandemic.
The Company said in a statement that the participant’s illness is being reviewed and evaluated by an independent data. This is done along with safety monitoring board as well as the company’s clinical and safety physicians.
J&J, which reports quarterly financial results on Tuesday morning, said that such pauses are normal in big trials. This is because it include tens of thousands of people.
The pandemic, a collapse in commodity prices and a plague of locusts have hit Africa hard. This had put 43 million more people at risk of extreme poverty, according to World Bank estimates. African states have reported more than 1 million coronavirus cases and some 23,000 deaths.
Compiled by – MK (Editor)
