The phase 1 trial aims to test whether the vaccine is safe and triggers an immune response

By Peter LoftusMay 25, 2020 4:24 pm ET

Novavax Inc. said Monday it started the first human study of its experimental coronavirus vaccine, making it one of at least 10 shots now being tested in people globally for Covid-19.

The Gaithersburg, Md., company said it plans to enroll about 130 healthy people ages 18 to 59 at two sites in Australia for the study. It expects initial results in July showing whether the vaccine, code-named NVX-CoV2373, is safe and triggers immune responses in participants.

If initial results are promising, Novavax plans a second phase of the study to be conducted in multiple countries including the U.S. and in a broader age range. The second portion of the study also will test whether the vaccine reduces the risk of Covid-19, Novavax said.