Catalan Covid vaccine gets green light for third phase trials

Spain’s Medicines Agency green-lighted Catalan Covid-19 vaccine Hipra for the third phase trials on Tuesday.

The agency stated that during the third phase they will "verify security aspects and efficacy of the drug."

Recently, Spanish science minister Diana Morant said that "results, so far, were good and the vaccine gives a great immunity response and even has great results against the Omicron variant," La Vanguardia newspaper reports.

Back in November 2021, Hipra’s vaccine was green-lighted for a second phase trial. Back then around 1,100 people already fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine were given a booster jab. Some received Hipra’s shot and the rest had a third dose of Pfizer. The aim at the time was to see whether the Hipra vaccine was a good option for use as a booster dose.

Possible benefits of Hipra jab

Unlike the other Covid-19 vaccines that are being administered throughout the EU, the Hipra jab is based on a recombinant protein, like certain flu shots, which simulates part of the virus and generates an immune response that protects against future infections or severe illness.

Furthermore, the vaccine only needs to be stored at 2ºC to 8ºC, making it easier to transport than the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines that must be frozen at much lower temperatures.

According to Dr. Rafel Ramos, a biomedical at Girona's Doctor Josep Trueta hospital, recombinant protein may be "a bit easier to adapt to possible future variants."

With new variants and other potential biological threats in mind, researchers stress the importance of continually developing new vaccines, especially as certain segments of the population remain unvaccinated and booster shots may be needed.