China has begun clinical trials of two possible vaccines against the novel coronavirus.
The two inactivated vaccine prototypes have been developed using pathogenic micro-organisms that have been killed through the physical or chemical process, Efe news reported on Tuesday.
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The first prototype, which received its license on Sunday to proceed with clinical trials, has been developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, along with China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
The second was the result of a joint venture of several companies headed by Beijing-based firm Sinovac Research and Development Co., Ltd.
The firm is a subsidiary of Sinovac Biotech which also worked on a vaccine against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003.
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The vaccines used in the clinical trial can be used for a bigger-scale vaccination, the effectiveness of which will be accepted as per international standards, Xinhua reported.
According to Chinese news site Caixin, Sinopharm – which has the financial backing of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology – project will test 1,396 volunteers recruited in the Henan province – in two initial phases expected to continue until Novembe 10, 2021.