Factbox: What COVID-19 vaccine and drug makers need to say about Omicron

Vials labelled "Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disorder (COVID-19) vaccine" are considered in this illustration photograph taken may also 2, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

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Dec 2 (Reuters) - The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has sparked fears that existing COVID-19 vaccines and remedy can be less beneficial against it.

South Africa's national Institute for Communicable ailments said early epidemiological statistics suggested Omicron was in a position to ward off some immunity, however current vaccines should nevertheless give protection to in opposition t severe disorder and dying.

right here's what groups that make COVID-19 vaccines and drugs have said:

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MODERNA (MRNA.O)

CEO Stéphane Bancel has warned that COVID-19 vaccines are not going to be as beneficial in opposition t the Omicron variant. read more

The business has spoke of a new vaccine tailor-made for Omicron should still be available as quickly as March. read more

PFIZER-BIONTECH (PFE.N)

"We feel or not it's seemingly that individuals will have big insurance plan in opposition t extreme disease led to through Omicron," said BioNTech CEO and co-founder Ugur Sahin.

Lab assessments are underway to analyze if antibodies present in the blood of people inoculated with Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine work towards Omicron. study extra

JOHNSON & JOHNSON (JNJ.N)

J&J noted it changed into checking out blood serum from contributors in a lot of trials to look for neutralizing pastime in opposition t the Omicron variant. It changed into also pursuing an Omicron-certain vaccine and would growth it as obligatory. read more

The business, although, continues to be confident within the immune responses generated by way of its shot in opposition t other variants to date in scientific reviews, stated Mathai Mammen, world head of J&J arm Janssen research & construction.

ASTRAZENECA PLC-tuition OF OXFORD (AZN.L)

AstraZeneca referred to it became analyzing the have an effect on of Omicron on its vaccine, which is developed with Oxford school, and its antibody cocktail, adding it became hopeful its mixture drug would continue efficacy. read extra

REGENERON prescribed drugs INC (REGN.O)

Its COVID-19 antibody drug may be less positive against Omicron, Regeneron mentio ned.

in line with its look at of Omicron's individual mutations, "there can be decreased neutralization endeavor of both vaccine-brought on and monoclonal antibody conveyed immunity", Regeneron said, including that the analysis blanketed its COVID-19 antibody cocktail, REGEN-COV. examine more

ELI LILLY AND CO (LLY.N)

The company, which additionally makes monoclonal antibody treatment, is working to bear in mind the neutralization activity of its treatment plans on Omicron, the enterprise instructed Reuters in an e-mailed commentary.

MERCK & Co Inc (MRK.N)

Merck's experimental COVID-19 drug, molnupiravir, which it's co-establishing with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, should still have identical activity against any new coronavirus variant, a company executive referred to. examine extra

NOVAVAX INC (NVAX.O)

may also start industrial manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine tailored for the Omicron coronavirus variant in January subsequent year, whereas it exams no matter if or now not its present vaccine works towards the variant. read greater

GILEAD SCIENCES INC (GILD.O)

Gilead has observed it believes its drug - Veklur y or remdesivir - will proceed to be active towards the Omicron variant. It plans to habits laboratory assessments to confirm its evaluation.

GSK-VIR BIOTECH (GSK.L), (VIR.O)

Laboratory analysis of the COVID-19 antibody therapy GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) is setting up with U.S. accomplice Vir Biotechnology (VIR.O) has indicated the drug is effective towards the brand new Omicron variant, the British drugmaker observed. examine greater

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Compilation via Manas Mishra, Oishee Majumdar and Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; editing by Anil D'Silva

Our requirements: The Thomson Reuters trust principles.