AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) has published the primary results on Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine trials, which were consistent with the interim data published on Monday.
The FTSE 100 pharma company said the jab showed 76% efficacy in preventing symptoms, 100% efficacy against severe or critical disease and hospitalisation and 85% efficacy against symptoms in participants aged 65 years and over.
READ: US agency asks AstraZeneca to review COVID-19 vaccine trial results
The interim data showed 79% efficacy in preventing symptoms overall and 80% in participants aged 65 years and over, with 100% efficacy against severe disease and hospitalisation.
These results have been presented to the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).
The primary analysis will be the basis for a regulatory submission for Emergency Use Authorization to the US Food and Drug Administration in the coming weeks.
The data included 190 symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in a population of 32,449 trial participants, an extra 49 cases to the previously announced interim analysis.
The firm said the inoculation was well tolerated with no safety concerns.
On Tuesday, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) said that the pharma giant should review the efficacy data and ensure the most accurate, up-to-date efficacy data be made public as quickly as possible.
The agency said that the DSMB notified NIAID, BARDA and AstraZeneca that it was concerned by information released by AstraZeneca on Monday.
The DSMB said AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data.
Analysts at Shore Capital noted that the difference between the interim and the primary data is statistically irrelevant and it is unclear what data has prompted the NIAID’s concerns.
“One key issue during the pandemic has been that many companies have reported the results of interim analyses, which by their nature are based on early, limited data and can leave much open to interpretation,” the broker commented.
“Vague statements around vaccines are always going to have a negative impact, simply because there will always be some degree of vaccine scepticism and such statements are good fuel to promote unfounded concerns about life-saving medicines. As such, we would like to see more careful communication around vaccines moving forward, with statements made once there is compelling evidence to support the assertions being made and when the implications are understood and provided alongside any public comment.”
Shares rose 1% to 7,182p on Thursday at the opening bell.