People are to be deliberately exposed to the Covid-19 virus in a world-first test, being carried out in the UK next month.
The world’s first coronavirus human challenge study will begin in the UK within a month, following approval from the UK’s clinical trials ethics body, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) has announced.
It will involve up to 90 carefully selected, healthy adult volunteers being exposed to Covid-19 in a safe and controlled environment.
The study aims to establish the smallest amount of virus needed to cause infection.
This will give doctors greater understanding of Covid-19 and help support the pandemic response by aiding vaccine and treatment development.
