Human clinical studies of the vaccine will start in September followed by a larger study, known as phase three, in December.

The Government has now agreed deals for four different types of potential coronavirus vaccines with a total of 250 million doses.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the progress was “remarkable” but warned there are “no guarantees”.

He added: “Our scientists and researchers are racing to find a safe and effective vaccine at a speed and scale never seen before. It is important that we secure early access to a diverse range of promising vaccine candidates, like GSK and Sanofi, to increase our chances of finding one that works so we can protect the public and save lives.”

The vaccine produced by GSK and Sanofi, which together have the largest vaccine manufacturing capability in the world, is based on the existing DNA-based technology used to produce Sanofi’s seasonal flu vaccine.

If the vaccine is successful, the UK could start to vaccinate priority groups, such as frontline health and social care workers, as early as the first half of next year, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said.

Earlier this month the Government agreed a deal with BioNTech and Pfizer for 30 million doses and with French company Valneva. There is also an agreement with AstraZeneca and Oxford university for their jab.

Kate Bingham, chairwoman of the Government’s Vaccines Taskforce, said: “The fact remains we may never get a vaccine and, if we do get one, we have to be prepared that it may not be a vaccine which prevents getting the virus, but rather one that reduces symptoms.”