China fields more COVID-19 vaccines candidates in clinical process than any other countries in the world

Source:Global Times Published: 2020/4/14 17:29:23

Photo:VCG


With three COVID-19 vaccine candidates entering in the clinical process according to Chinese officials, China may lead the global race of COVID-19 vaccine development. 

Among the five globally, China currently has the maximum vaccine candidates that have entered the clinical trial phase. 

The other two being tested in humans are treatments developed separately by US drugmakers Moderna Inc. and Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., according to a WHO document.

Due to the lack of a "knockout drug" to prevent or treat COVID-19, countries are rushing with vaccine research and development. 

In a report dated April 11, the World Health Organization said a total of 70 vaccines are currently in progress. 

China is also the only country to enter the Phase II clinical trials of the COVID-19, recruiting 500 volunteers. This recombinant vaccine was developed by China's CanSino Biologics Inc and a research team led by Major General Chen Wei of the People's Liberation Army. 

The Phase I trial is aimed to evaluate the safety and immunization of the vaccine, while Phase II and III will assess its effectiveness. 

Chinese scientists have been competing to develop COVID-19 vaccines via five approaches - inactivated vaccines, genetic engineering subunit vaccines, adenovirus vector vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines, and vaccines using attenuated influenza virus as vectors.  

Academician Wang Junzhi said China has been very agile on COVID-19 vaccines approval process by switching scientific processes that were previously "in tandem" into "in parallel," without compromising the safety aspect. 

According to some estimates, the development of COVID-19 vaccines will take at least another 12 to 18 months. 

Zhong Nanshan, China's renowned respiratory expert, said Sunday he believes no COVID-19 vaccine will be available in three to four months.

Global Times



Posted in: SOCIETY

blog comments powered by Disqus