New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson says it's looking to produce 1 billion coronavirus vaccines next year.

 

The company's chief scientific officer, Dr. Paul Stoffels, says it's just a few months away from trials.

"We are preparing clinical trials,” says Dr. Stoffels. “We are fully and upscaling. We start clinical trials in September and hope to have data by the end of the year. As well as now working toward 1 billion vaccines for next year. We will have some vaccine available this year, but it will depend on the authorities - the FDA and others - to decide whether it can be used earlier, before efficacy data are available."

Johnson & Johnson says it's been working on a vaccine since January, and is partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services to do it.