China’s Sinovac, Clover may start COVID-19 vax trials in PH by Dec. or early Jan. 2021

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese firms Sinovac Biotech and Clover Biopharmaceuticals may start Phase 3 of the clinical trials of their respective COVID-19 vaccines here by December or early January next year.

The two Chinese drugmakers are the first ones to pass evaluation of the country’s vaccine expert panel to conduct clinical trials of their candidate vaccine in the Philippines.

READ: After passing PH vaccine panel evaluation, Sinovac seeks FDA OK

Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Council for Health Research and Development, said the two Chinese firms are currently seeking the approval of the Single Joint Research Ethics Board as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Kung sila po ay mabilis ang pagsagot sa mga tanong ng ethics review board at saka po sa FDA sila rin po siguro ang mauuna na mag-conduct ng clinical trial,” Montoya said during Monday’s Laging Handa Public Briefing.

“Kung ito ay mangyayari ayon sa plano at walang problema ito po ay mangyayari by December or early January,” he added.

Meanwhile, the application of Gamaleya Research Institute from Russia, Jannsen Pharmaceuticals from Belgium, and AstraZeneca from the United Kingdom are still under the review of the vaccine experts panel, Montoya said.

The Philippine government last week signed an agreement with the private sector and AstraZeneca for the purchase of 2 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief Carlito Galvez Jr., who is also the country’s designated vaccine czar, said the private sector would shoulder the cost of the vaccines.

JE