Sanofi entered into a research and development deal with the U.S. Army to accelerate the development of a Zika vaccine, according to Reuters.
The partnership with Walter Reed Army Institute of Research provides the French drugmaker access to a promising new vaccine that's made from inactivated virus and has already shown positive results in mice.
Through the agreement, WRAIR will transfer virus vaccine technology to Sanofi Pasteur, the company's vaccine division.
The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will conduct Phase I trials during the technology transfer, with Sanofi then taking over to lead clinical and regulatory development.
The vaccine — currently one of the most advanced in the development process — could be ready for human testing as soon as October.
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