Omicron: China speeds up research into vaccines and tests amid progress on recombinant spike protein
- Sino Biological announces it has developed a recombinant key part of the ‘variant of concern’ that could be used to test vaccines and antibodies
- ‘Our aim is to be prepared, but not necessarily use [new vaccines against variants] unless the existing vaccine is completely ineffective’: NHC official
06:14
Why is the Omicron variant so concerning? Virologist warns Covid strain could ‘wreak havoc’ in HK
However, the Omicron variant has more than 30 mutations in the spike protein, including 10 in one particular part called the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that docks to the ACE2 receptor, prompting concerns that the structure change might help it dodge the immunity developed by vaccines or past infection.
Sino Biological said the company had finished molecular construction, cell culture, protein purification and quality checks in six days. It said it had successfully produced reagents of the spike protein RBD for the Omicron variant on Monday and they were available for market.
The company said reagents for other proteins of the variant would be launched soon.
Why it’s too early to panic about Omicron’s ability to evade vaccines
Mainland China has not detected any Omicron cases yet but health authorities have been on high alert and are preparing for the variant to emerge.
“Our technological reserve for vaccines against variants has been in place since the emergence of the first variant of concern so a vaccine against the specific variant can be launched as soon as a new variant emerges,” Zheng said, adding that vaccine developers had prepared vaccines, or even had some in clinical trials, when the Delta variant became the global dominant strain.
“Our aim is to be prepared, but not necessarily use them unless the existing vaccine is completely ineffective. We are now also rapidly promoting the development of vaccines against the Omicron variant for all technologies so that we can be prepared and be able to use them when they are needed,” Zheng said.
02:35
Omicron confirmed in 24 countries as new Covid-19 variant continues to spread
There is no firm evidence yet as to whether Omicron will evade vaccine-induced immunity, but most existing shots were still expected to help reduce severe disease and death, he said.
China’s existing test kits could detect infection by the Omicron variant because their design bypassed the spike protein, according to a statement from the health commission.
Omicron spreading faster than other Covid-19 variants at ‘epicentre’
