J&J Pauses Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Due to Unexplained Illness | Top News
(Reuters) – Johnson & Johnson
has paused clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine candidate due to an unexplained illness in a study participant, delaying one of the highest profile efforts to contain the global pandemic.
The move comes around a month after AstraZeneca
also suspended trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine – which uses a similar technology – due to a participant falling ill.
J&J said on Monday the illness was being reviewed by an independent data and safety monitoring board as well as the U.S. group’s clinical and safety physicians.
The company, which reports quarterly financial results on Tuesday morning, said such pauses are normal in big trials, which can include tens of thousands of people.
It added the voluntary “study pause” in giving doses of the vaccine candidate was different from a “regulatory hold” imposed by health authorities.
AstraZeneca last month paused late-stage trials of its experimental coronavirus