CFO: J&J to release Covid vaccine data ‘soon’

 J&J is expected to release data from its phase three trial testing its Covid-19 vaccine as early as this week.

U.S. officials and Wall Street analysts are eagerly anticipating the federal authorization of J&J’s vaccine, which could happen as early as next month. Unlike Pfizer’s and Moderna’s authorized vaccines, which require two doses given about three to four weeks apart, J&J’s requires only one dose. That means patients will not have to come back for another dose, simplifying logistics for health-care providers.

J&J Chief Financial Officer Joseph Wolk told CNBC on Tuesday the company expects the phase three trial data to be “robust.” He said it’s possible there may be differences in results for people tested in places like South Africa, where there is a new, highly contagious strain of the virus.

Moderna said Monday it is working on a booster shot to guard against the strain found in South Africa after it found its current vaccine appeared to be less effective.

“It’s going to be very inclusive in terms of having certain ethnicities [such as] Blacks, Hispanics and the elderly,” Wolk said on “Squawk Box.” “Because it’s so diverse because of the geographic representation that could provide a lot of insights.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/26/johnson-johnson-jnj-earnings-q4-2020.html