Coronavirus: Philippines hosts phase 3 trials for Chinese Livzon V-01 vaccine
- First jabs of protein-based experimental doses given last week and efforts under way to test in about a dozen countries
- Phase 1 and 2 trials yielded ‘satisfactory results’, company says
Livzon Pharmaceutical Group said on Monday that the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration had approved phase 3 safety and efficacy trials for its protein-based vaccine, with the first jabs administered last week.
The trials are randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled, and all of the participants are at least 18 years old, according to the group.
Livzon deputy general manager Hu Zhenxiang told state news agency Xinhua that the company could make enough stock solution for up to 3.5 billion doses of the vaccine a year.
He said the company has applied for phase 3 trials in other countries, including Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey and Mexico. The company plans to conduct clinical trials for booster shots in Malaysia, Turkey, Mexico and Rwanda.
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The V-01 – jointly developed with the Institute of Biophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences – was approved by the Chinese drug regulator for clinical trials early this year.