• CureVac N.V. (NASDAQ: CVAC) and GlaxoSmithKline Plc (NYSE: GSK) have released positive early data from a preclinical study of its second-generation COVID-19 vaccine with signs that the candidate could also provide good protection against some variants of the virus.

• Preclinical studies showed strong immune responses in rats, with significant neutralization of variants first discovered in the U.K., South Africa, and Denmark.

• Human trials are expected to start in the third quarter.

• The shot dubbed CV2CoV is based on a new messenger-RNA backbone which differs from CureVac's first-generation vaccine candidate, CVnCoV, currently in late-stage clinical testing.

• The next-gen vaccine candidate is designed to allow for strong immune responses at low doses.

• It induced high levels of antigen production as well as strong and dose-dependent immune responses in vaccinated animals.

• In February, the companies said that the next-generation candidate would be ready for use in 2022 as part of a €150 million collaboration.

• CureVac is also expected to publish data from advanced trials of its first-generation mRNA vaccine in the coming weeks.

• Price Action: CVAC shares are up 5.9% at $99.5, while GSK stock is trading 0.44% lower at $38.17 during the premarket session on the last check Thursday.

What are the top healthcare stocks to watch right now? Tune in to the Benzinga Global Small Cap Conference streaming LIVE TODAY to find out.

See more from Benzinga

• Click here for options trades from Benzinga

• Fulcrum Therapeutics, Evofem Biosciences Drug Candidates Receive FDA Fast Track Designation

• VBI Vaccines' Three-Antigen HBV Vaccine Candidate Trial Data Published In Lancet Infectious Diseases

© 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.