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Johnson & Johnson announced that Health Canada has granted an Interim Order (IO) authorization for its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.
This decision was based on scientific evidence, including data from the Phase 3 ENSEMBLE study that demonstrated the vaccine was 85 percent effective in preventing severe disease, and showed protection against COVID-19 related hospitalization and death, beginning 28 days after vaccination.
Johnson & Johnson anticipates fulfilling the 10 million doses included in the Advance Purchase Agreement with the Government of Canada by the end of Q3 2021.
We have been working around the clock to develop and broadly activate our manufacturing capabilities, which will enable us to meet our 2021 supply commitments.
The Company will share more information on anticipated delivery timing as it becomes available.
“A vaccine that prevents severe disease and protects against COVID-related hospitalization and death will help ease the burden on Canadians and the strain on our healthcare systems,” said Dr. Ebele Ola, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Janssen Canada.
“Our single-shot COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool for fighting this global pandemic.”
The terms of the IO allow use of the vaccine while more data are gathered. The Company plans to file for a Notice of Compliance with Health Canada later in 2021.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Information
The Janssen COVID-19 single-dose vaccine is compatible with standard vaccine storage and distribution channels with ease of delivery to remote areas. The vaccine is estimated to remain stable for two years at -20°C, and a maximum of three months at routine refrigeration at temperatures of 2 to 8°C. The Company will ship the vaccine using the same cold chain technologies it uses today to transport treatments for cancer, immunological disorders and other medicines. The COVID-19 vaccine should not be re-frozen if distributed at temperatures of 2°-8°C.
Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine
The Company’s COVID-19 vaccine leverages the AdVac® vaccine platform, a unique and proprietary technology that was also used to develop and manufacture Janssen’s European Commission-approved Ebola vaccine regimen and construct its investigational Zika, RSV, and HIV vaccines.
The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has not been approved or licensed but has been granted authorization under Interim Order for active immunization to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Phase 3 ENSEMBLE Study Design The Phase 3 ENSEMBLE study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in individuals 18 years of age and older. The study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Company’s vaccine candidate in protecting against both moderate and severe COVID-19 disease, with assessment of efficacy as of day 14 and as of day 28 as co-primary endpoints. The study enrolled a total of 43,783 participants. The trial, conducted in eight countries across three continents, includes a diverse and broad population including 34 percent of participants over age 60. Fifty-nine percent of participants in the study were White/Caucasian; 45 percent were Hispanic and/or Latinx; 19 percent were Black/African American; 3 percent were Asian and 9 percent were Native American.
