GSK Halts 3 Trials of Respiratory Virus Vaccine in Pregnant Women

GSK logo is displayed in this illustration taken January 17, 2022. (Reuters)
GSK logo is displayed in this illustration taken January 17, 2022. (Reuters)
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GSK Halts 3 Trials of Respiratory Virus Vaccine in Pregnant Women

GSK logo is displayed in this illustration taken January 17, 2022. (Reuters)
GSK logo is displayed in this illustration taken January 17, 2022. (Reuters)

Britain's GSK said on Monday it had halted enrollment and vaccination in three trials of its experimental vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pregnant women, the latest setback in developing a vaccine for the microbe.

GSK said on Feb. 18 that it had paused a late-stage trial, dubbed "GRACE," as well as two other studies, based on safety recommendations from an independent committee but did not give further details on what had prompted the recommendations.

RSV is a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and the elderly, but vaccine development has been plagued by setbacks for decades. However, many drugmakers are now working to bring a candidate to the market over the next few years.

GSK, the world's biggest vaccine maker by sales, reiterated on Monday that the halts did not affect another trial of its RSV vaccine candidate for adults aged 60 and over, adding that analysis of the safety data from the maternal trials is ongoing.

RSV vaccines are seen as an opportunity for GSK to deliver on pledges to boost its drug development success rate, where it has long lagged industry peers. GSK's shot for pregnant women was aimed at conferring immunity to protect unborn children.

Its vaccine for the elderly, another major vulnerable population, has been regarded by analysts as a potential big RSV market, with trial results expected in the first half this year.



Indonesia’s Mount Ibu Erupts, Spews Hot Lava and Smoke

This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
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Indonesia’s Mount Ibu Erupts, Spews Hot Lava and Smoke

This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)
This handout picture taken and released on January 11, 2025 by Indonesian Geological Agency shows Mount Ibu spewing volcanic material approximately 4,000 meters high during an eruption as observed from the Mount Ibu Volcano Observation Post in West Halmahera, North Maluku on January 11, 2025. (Handout / Indonesian Geological Agency / AFP)

A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Saturday, spewing hot lava and releasing a column of smoke and ash four kilometers (3.1 miles) into the air, an official said.

Mount Ibu, on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, erupted at 7:45 pm central Indonesia time (1145 GMT), sending a tall flaming column soaring into the sky.

"The lava was spotted two kilometers away from the eruption center," Geological Agency head Muhammad Wafid said in a statement.

Images from the volcano monitoring post showed a bright red column of flame and thick, dark smoke billowing high above the volcano crater.

The volcano is currently still on the second highest alert level.

There has been no new evacuation order, but visitors and villagers have been told to vacate a zone four to 5.5 kilometers from the peak.

The agency also urged people to wear face masks and protective goggles in case of volcanic ash rain.

Ibu is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, erupting more than 2,000 times last year.

More than 700,000 people lived on Halmahera island as of 2022, according to official figures.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

Last year, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing thousands of residents of nearby islands to evacuate.