Vietnam may approve Nanocovax vaccine

• Vietnam to approve locally produced Nano Covax vaccine for emergency use
• 1,700 volunteers register for Nano Covax vaccine trials, third stage

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology held a meeting on July 22 to review the outcomes of clinical trials of Nanocovax vaccine, which is produced by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC based on recombinant DNA/protein technology.

A volunteer received  a shot of Nano Covax vaccine in the third phase of clinical trials.

Nanogen’s Nanocovax is Vietnam’s first and only COVID-19 vaccine that has entered the third phase of its clinical trials.  Based on the evaluation, the vaccine may be approved for emergency use.

It went through the first phase trial from December 18, 2020, and the second phase from February 26, 2021. The third phase started on June 11, 2021. Results from the first two trial phases showed that all volunteers developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

At the meeting, a representative from Nanogen said more than 13,620 volunteers had been vaccinated with Nano Covax vaccine so far. The third and the final phase saw participation of 13,000 volunteers with 1,004 people getting two jabs.

The company said it would continue to complete documents relating to the products and outcomes of the trials to submit to the Ministry of Health next week.

Chairman of the Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients Le Van Truyen said the council supported the research and development of homegrown vaccines but registration dossiers for approving vaccines in emergency situations must meet scientific and legal standards.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said under the current complex development of the pandemic, the ministry hoped health experts would evaluate outcomes of the clinical trials scientifically and create conditions to speed up research and production of the vaccine.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said the ministry supported and created conditions for Nanogen as well as other domestic companies and units to research and develop vaccines with the hope that Vietnam would soon be able to produce “Made in Vietnam” vaccines to help ensure vaccine supply for coronavirus control.