By Stephen Nakrosis

Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline PLC on Tuesday said they signed agreements which will see the companies supply up to 72 million doses of an adjuvanted Covid-19 vaccine to the government of Canada.

The deal will see the companies begin to supply the vaccine next year.

Sanofi said it is leading the clinical development and registration of the vaccine, and also said a Phase 1/2 study, initiated on Sept. 3, will enroll 440 subjects.

The companies said they expect results in early December to support the initiation of a Phase 3 study before year's end. "If the data is sufficient for regulatory application, it is planned to request regulatory approval in the first half of 2021," the companies said.

"Both companies' global manufacturing networks will play a pivotal role in the production of the Covid-19 vaccine for Canada," they said.

Thomas Triomphe, EVP and global head of Sanofi Pasteur, said "To address a global health crisis of this magnitude, it takes partnerships and we are grateful to Canada for its collaboration, and to GSK for partnering with us to develop a safe and effective vaccine."

Roger Connor, president of GSK Vaccines, said "GSK is proud to be working in partnership with Sanofi to make this vaccine available as soon as possible in Canada. Both companies have significant R&D and manufacturing capability world-wide and are already working hard to scale up production." 



  Write to Stephen Nakrosis at stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com