Human trials of 2nd local COVID-19 vaccine expected in January

A medial worker prepares to inject Nanocovax, the first made-in-Vietnam vaccine, into a volunteer as part of human trials on December 17, 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The Institute of Vaccines and
Medical Biologicals (IVAC), based in central Khanh Hoa province, has proposed
the allow human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine to begin
in January, two months ahead of schedule.

The IVAC said it made the proposal following the testing on
animals like hamsters, mice, and rabbits, which has shown that the candidate vaccine
is safe and creates high immune response on the animals.

If permitted, this will be the second Vietnamese vaccine in
clinical trials on humans, after Nanocovax of the Nanogen
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, which started the first phase of human trials
on December 10, 2020.

IVAC Director Duong Huu
Thai said the institute’s research on a COVID-19 vaccine began in May, aiming
to successfully produce a vaccine and complete three phases of clinical trials
in 18 months.

“Initial results are
relatively goods,” he said, noting that the first phase of testing will last
for about two months and conclude in April.

If all the three phases show
good results, the vaccine will be available as soon as late 2021, Thai
added.

The IVAC is set to coordinate with the National Institute of
Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and the Hanoi Medical University to conduct clinical trials.

Different dosages of the will be injected into 125
volunteers of various age groups.

Apart from the IVAC’s vaccine and Nanocovax, Vietnam also
has some other COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed./.