The first patient has received the second generation hAd5 COVID-19 vaccine, which targets both the outer spike protein and inner nucleocapsid of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The two firms hope the vaccine will lead to long-term T cell and antibody immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the companies said.

First patient receives California-based ImmunityBio's second-generation hAd5 COVID-19 vaccine, which targets both the outer spike protein and inner nucleocapsid, leading to potential long-term T cell and antibody immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Image courtesy of NantKWest.

The trial is being conducted at the Hoag Center for Research and Education in Newport Beach, CA, and is enrolling 35 healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 55.

ImmunityBio begins phase I trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate
ImmunityBio has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin a phase I clinical trial of its hAd5-COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

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