A volunteer received a shot of Nano Covax vaccine in the third phase of clinical trials on July 2 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is evaluating its domestically developed
vaccine, Nano Covax, for possible approval for in the country.
The
Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology held a meeting on
July 22 to review the outcomes of clinical trials of the vaccine, which is
produced by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC based on recombinant
DNA/protein technology.
Based
on the evaluation, the vaccine may be approved for emergency use.
It
went through the first phase trial from December 18, 2020, and the second phase
from February 26, 2021. The third phase started on June 11, 2021.
Results
from the first two trial phases showed that all volunteers developed antibodies
against SARS-CoV-2.
At
the meeting, a representative from Nanogen said more than 13,620 volunteers had
been vaccinated with vaccine so far.
The
third and the final phase saw participation of 13,000 volunteers with 1,004
people getting two jabs.
The
company said it would continue to complete documents relating to the products
and outcomes of the trials to submit to the Ministry of Health next week.
Chairman
of the Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and
Medicinal Ingredients Le Van Truyen said the council supported the research and
development of homegrown vaccines but registration dossiers for approving
vaccines in emergency situations must meet scientific and legal standards.
Deputy
Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said under the current complex
development of the pandemic, the ministry hoped health experts would evaluate
outcomes of the clinical trials scientifically and create conditions to speed
up research and production of the vaccine.
Deputy
Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said the ministry supported and created
conditions for Nanogen as well as other domestic companies and units to
research and develop vaccines with the hope that Vietnam would soon be able to
produce “Made in Vietnam” vaccines to help ensure vaccine supply for
coronavirus control.
Regarding
licensing conditions, Thuan asked Nanogen to work with agencies to complete
dossiers about the outcomes of the first and second phases of human trials and
soon update results of the third phase.
Based on
the outcomes of trials and the opinions of domestic and foreign experts as well
as the pandemic situation and vaccine demand, the Ministry of Health will study
and consider the licensing of the Nano Covax vaccine for emergency use.
Nano
Covax is the most promising candidate among four domestic vaccines being
developed by Vietnam. If approved, commercial production could start soon.
The
other vaccines are being developed by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical
Biologicals, the Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1, and the
Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals.
Vietnam
has so far approved six vaccines for emergency use, namely Janssen, Moderna,
Sputnik V, Pfizer, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca.
The
Government is making efforts to secure at least 150 million vaccine doses to inoculate
70 percent of the population.
As
of July 23 morning, 4,411,659 doses of the vaccines, mainly AstraZeneca, have
been administered in Vietnam, with 334,560 people having received the full two
doses./.
Source: VietnamPlus
