AstraZeneca CEO Says COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Pause is the Second Since July

The trial was paused by the U.K.-based pharma company to assess the illness and determine whether or not the vaccine was the cause. However, during that same call with investors, Soriot said this was not the first time the Phase II/III study had been halted. In July, the study was paused after another patient experienced neurological issues. According to STAT News, which first reported the call, that patients was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and it was determined the issue had nothing to do with the company’s experimental vaccine treatment. Although STAT did not participate in the call, some who did spoke to the news outlet on condition of anonymity. The sources told the outlet that Soriot wanted to reassure the investors that AstraZeneca is taking every precaution regarding safety with the vaccine candidate.