Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical injected the first human subject with the company's norovirus vaccine candidate in a Phase 2b field trial.
The trial is randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled and involves 18-year-old to 49-year-old healthy adult men and women.
Here are four points:
1. The researchers will use the study to examine the norovirus vaccine's effect on moderate or severe acute gastroenteritis.
2.. Takeda's Phase 1 and Phase 2 norovirus vaccine candidate studies showed humans tolerated the vaccine well. The vaccine also reduced disease symptoms and severity.
3. Takeda Pharmaceutical focuses on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas.
4. Norovirus is the main cause of acute gastroenteritis, causing nearly 700 million cases worldwide and more than 200,000 deaths per year.