The state broadcaster CCTV reported the vaccine being developed by the team under Major General Chen Wei, a top epidemiologist and virologist with the Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), alongside with Tianjin-based CanSino Biologics as the front-runner among nine possible treatments being worked on by Chinese scientists.
“Phase 1” of the test will examine whether experimental shot is safe in humans.
CanSino’s trial involves injecting the experimental vaccine into 108 healthy adults, aged 18 to 60, in three different doses, according to data from the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.
Tests will start this between March 16 and continue through the end of this year.
CanSino said in its statement the vaccine was tested on animals and proven safe and capable of eliciting immunity against the virus,
However, experts at the World Health Organization say they do not expect any fully tested and approved vaccine to reach the market until the middle of next year.
In the meantime, China’s scientists are being asked to direct all of their energies into helping tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Major General Chen Wei says the battle against viruses must begin before they are even born. Source: Handout
The Ministry of Science and Technology urged the country’s scientists to prioritise the development of drugs and treatments to help critically ill patients.
It had also commissioned new research – using computer simulations– to better understand how the virus that caused Covid-19 spread, how to get the country back to work, and how to minimise the risk of importing new infections.
The report, released by the Communist Party’s flagship bimonthly journal Qiushi, came as CHinmese President Xi Jinping said the country needed to pool its best research and development resources within a “new state-sponsored system”.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are advised to be tested.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
