SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial : Sinovac Biotec begins COVID-19 vaccine candidate human trial

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial : Chinese biopharma company Sinovac Biotech has started a phase 1 clinical trial for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in 144 healthy adults, aged between 18 and 59.

Sinovac Biotech had recently secured approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to launch the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study for the coronavirus vaccine candidate.

The Chinese biopharma company wrapped up enrollment of the first group of voluntary participants apart from giving them the first dose of vaccination.

The goal of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial, which is being held in Jiangsu Province, is to assess the vaccine candidate’s safety, tolerance, and preliminary immunogenicity.

According to Sinovac Biotech, two different dosages of the  SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are given in the trial. Two-thirds of the volunteers will be vaccinated with the investigational coronavirus vaccine, while the remaining volunteers will be given the placebo.

Commenting on the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trial, Weidong Yin – Chairman, President and CEO of Sinovac Biotech, said: “The vaccine is critical to the eventual prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Commencing our human trial is another milestone achieved by our scientists together with our vaccine development partners. Sinovac will accelerate the progress of our research in order to support the worldwide fight against COVID-19.”

Prior to the launch of the coronavirus vaccine trial in humans, Sinovac Biotech conducted an animal challenge study in which the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was shown to have protected the animals without antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).