Covid vaccines: US regulator sceptical over AstraZeneca model

Vaccine developed in Oxford criticised by FDA with efficacy rates and trials delaying official take-up

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For a man presenting landmark results from trials of a vaccine that it is hoped will save the world from a devastating pandemic, Sir Menelas Pangalos did not look cheerful on Wednesday.

Pangalos, executive vice-president of biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, and his colleagues are undoubtedly exhausted, having been working round the clock on the coronavirus vaccine with Oxford University since April. But they are now dealing with a sizeable new headache - the doubts of the US regulator.