AstraZeneca dumps late-phase, next-gen COVID-19 vaccine, calling time on a beta player in an omicron world

Events have overtaken AstraZeneca’s next-generation beta variant COVID-19 vaccine. After moving the prospect into phase 2/3 last year, AstraZeneca saw beta fall down the list of the most worrying variants, culminating in today’s decision to dump the AZD2816 vaccine candidate.

The removal (PDF) of AZD2816 from the pipeline follows the conclusion of work that persuaded AstraZeneca to stick with Vaxzevria, its first-generation vaccine, rather than push ahead with plans to seek authorization for its beta-specific sibling. AstraZeneca's decision is underpinned by AZD2816's lack of differentiation against the now-dominant omicron.