In some hamsters – Johnson & Johnson’s experimental coronavirus vaccine has been found to prevent serious illness, according to a study published Thursday.
The Syrian Golden Hamster was vaccinated and then exposed to COVID-19 four weeks later, as part of a pre-clinical study by a drug manufacturer.
The study, published in the medical journal Nature Medicine, found that vaccinated rats had less virus in their lungs and other organs.
They also weighed less than animals that did not receive a dose of inoculation.
Researchers have found that higher levels of weight loss in the lungs and higher levels of viral replication are associated with lower levels of antibodies that can neutralize the virus.
Promising results in hamsters will not necessarily translate into humans.
But, the company is seeking to start a late-phase study of 60,000 people in humans later this month. According to CNBC, testing the coronavirus vaccine will be the biggest trial.
J&J is one of many companies working to develop a vaccine for the virus. Others include Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
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