Coronavirus: green light for human trials on two more Chinese vaccine hopefuls

Medical products watchdog gives approval for clinical tests for two experimental preparations, with more expected to follow

Study of therapeutic use of plasma from recovered patients also yielding positive early results, official says

Reading Time:3 minutes

China has approved two more experimental coronavirus vaccines for human trials. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 5:00pm, 14 Apr 2020Updated: 11:35pm, 14 Apr 2020

China is pressing ahead in the global race to find a vaccine and treatment for the pandemic coronavirus, fast-tracking regulatory approval for a number of clinical trials.

In the last few days, the country’s medical products watchdog has approved human trials for two more experimental vaccines. Trials for another potential vaccine started last week and at least three more are expected to start later this month and in May.

A clinical study on the therapeutic use of plasma from recovered coronavirus patients is also under way after promising early results.

The advances come as the epidemic appears to wane in China.

Authorities reported 89 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, all but three of them imported. Another 54 patients tested positive for the virus but had not developed symptoms for the coronavirus, which has killed 3,341 people throughout the country.

In all, 70 potential coronavirus vaccines are in development around the world, with three already being tested on humans, according to the World Health Organisation.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x