US biotechnology company Inovio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:INO) (Inovio) said on Monday that it plans to begin a global late-stage trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, INO-4800, this summer, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday.

This comes a month after the US government pulled the funding for further studies of the drug.

Reportedly, the company had started developing INO-4800 last year, but fell behind after the US Food and Drug Administration put a portion of the study on hold for more information on the vaccine delivery device. Inovio had reported earlier on Monday promising results from a mid-stage trial of INO-4800.

Inovio said on Monday the clinical hold would not have an impact on the global study, adding it remained on track to submit all documents to the US FDA to lift the hold.

According to the company, it is now focusing on countries where fewer emergency vaccines are available and are grappling with a significant number of cases.

Inovio added that it is working with funders and partners to launch the global trial and is confident with the progress that will allow it to expedite the study.